The West African nation Closes Educational Institutions and Universities as Jihadist Restrictions Exacerbates Petrol Crisis
Mali has closed schools and universities throughout the country due to a critical petrol shortage caused by a restriction on energy resources imposed by jihadist fighters.
Top education official stated on public media that all learning centers would remain closed until November 9th, noting that the transportation of staff and learners had been disrupted by the restrictions.
He emphasized that the authorities were “doing everything possible” to resolve the situation so that educational activities could continue on the tenth of November.
For weeks, the nation has been facing a fuel shortage, notably in the capital Bamako, after militants from an al-Qaeda-linked organization imposed a embargo by attacking transport vehicles on primary roads.
The country is without coastal access, so all petroleum products are brought in by road from bordering countries such as its western neighbor and Ivory Coast.
Extended lines have been forming around gas pumps in the main city in recent weeks, and the city's normally bustling streets have now apparently become deserted.
The ruling military council had earlier this month assured residents that it was only a short-term problem, but the situation has continued.
In the past few days, the US Embassy in Bamako stated that non-essential diplomatic staff and their dependents would evacuate the country amid the deteriorating energy crisis and escalating safety issues.
It explained that the petroleum supply issues had disrupted the power distribution and had the “ability to disturb” the broader protection environment in unexpected forms.
Mali is now led by a army council under the leadership of General GoĂŻta, who assumed authority in a coup in 2021.
The ruling council had popular support when it took power, committing to address the protracted safety emergency prompted by a autonomy movement in the north by the Tuareg population, which was then hijacked by extremist groups.
The UN peacekeeping mission and France's military had been sent in 2013 to combat the growing rebellion.
Both have withdrawn since the military assumed power, and the current administration has employed Russian mercenaries to address the violence.
However, the militant uprising has continued and large parts of the north and east of the state remain not under administrative command.
