Mali Shuts Down Schools and Universities as Jihadist Restrictions Intensifies Fuel Shortage

Long queues at petrol stations in Mali
Extended lines have been forming around fuel pumps in the past few weeks

The landlocked West African country has temporarily halted educational facilities and universities countrywide due to a severe petrol shortage triggered by a restriction on petroleum supplies implemented by militant groups.

Minister of Education declared on national broadcast that all learning centers would stay shut until 9 November, noting that the transportation of employees and pupils had been impacted by the blockade.

He emphasized that the authorities were “working tirelessly” to end the situation so that educational activities could restart on 10 November.

For weeks, the nation has been grappling with a energy deficit, notably in the administrative center, after militants from an al-Qaeda-linked organization imposed a restriction by targeting fuel trucks on primary roads.

The country is surrounded by land, so all energy resources are brought in by truck from neighboring states such as its western neighbor and the neighboring nation.

Lengthy waits have been forming around fuel outlets in the main city in recent weeks, and the city's usually crowded streets have now allegedly become deserted.

The ruling military council had earlier this month promised citizens that it was only a passing concern, but the crisis has persisted.

Last week, the American diplomatic mission in the capital stated that secondary diplomatic employees and their families would depart Mali amid the worsening energy crisis and increasing protection worries.

It explained that the petroleum supply issues had disrupted the supply of electricity and had the “ability to disturb” the general safety conditions in unexpected forms.

The West African nation is currently ruled by a army council led by the military leader, who assumed authority in a takeover in recently.

The junta had widespread approval when it came to authority, promising to deal with the protracted safety emergency triggered by a autonomy movement in the northern region by ethnic Tuaregs, which was then taken over by Islamist militants.

The United Nations stabilization force and European soldiers had been deployed in a decade ago to address the increasing militant activity.

These forces have left since the military assumed power, and the ruling council has contracted private military contractors to combat the insecurity.

Nonetheless, the militant uprising has endured and significant areas of the north and east of the country remain beyond state authority.

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