🔗 Share this article Mali Closes Educational Institutions and Higher Education Centers as Islamist Militant Blockade Worsens Fuel Shortage Prolonged lines have been snaking around gas stations in the last few days Mali has suspended educational facilities and colleges across the nation due to a acute petrol shortage triggered by a embargo on petroleum supplies implemented by militant groups. The Education Minister declared on national broadcast that all learning centers would remain closed until the ninth of November, clarifying that the movement of personnel and pupils had been affected by the blockade. He emphasized that the authorities were “working tirelessly” to end the situation so that classes could continue on the tenth of November. For several weeks, the nation has been facing a energy deficit, particularly in the main city, after armed groups from an al-Qaeda affiliate initiated a embargo by attacking tankers on primary roads. Mali is surrounded by land, so all petroleum products are delivered by land routes from bordering countries such as its western neighbor and Ivory Coast. Lengthy waits have been snaking around gas pumps in Bamako in the last several days, and the city's usually crowded streets have now allegedly become deserted. The military government had previously promised citizens that it was only a temporary issue, but the crisis has endured. Last week, the American diplomatic mission in the capital declared that non-essential diplomatic staff and their families would depart Mali amid the deteriorating petrol scarcity and escalating safety issues. It explained that the energy interruptions had impacted the supply of electricity and had the “potential to disrupt” the general safety conditions in unforeseen manners. Mali is now led by a army council under the leadership of the military leader, who assumed authority in a coup in 2021. The ruling council had public backing when it assumed control, committing to address the ongoing instability triggered by a autonomy movement in the north by the Tuareg population, which was then hijacked by jihadist fighters. The UN peacekeeping mission and France's military had been sent in 2013 to address the growing rebellion. Both have withdrawn since the junta took over, and the ruling council has contracted private military contractors to address the insecurity. Nevertheless, the jihadist insurgency has endured and significant areas of the north and east of the country remain not under administrative command.