The recent jihadist blockade on Mali’s primary highways has left travelers and transport operators in a precarious situation, particularly around Bamako. The restrictions were imposed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) following attacks on April 25 that targeted multiple communities across the country.
In the past week alone, militants torched dozens of transport and cargo vehicles en route to the Malian capital. While several transport companies continue operating within the country, others have temporarily suspended services due to the heightened risks.
Extended delays and canceled routes
During a visit to a reputable transport company in Bamako on May 11, we encountered a bus arriving from Mauritania after a grueling journey. The vehicle had departed from Nouakchott the previous week, covering a distance that would typically take four days under normal conditions.
A Malian migrant, Mody (name changed for safety), shared his harrowing experience: « We left Nouakchott last Thursday at 7 a.m. and arrived at Gogui, on the border, by 11 p.m. The drivers warned us about the dangers ahead, so we spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights waiting. Sunday morning, we were told a Malian military convoy would escort us. After a long wait, we finally departed—but without the military escort—to reach Diéma in Mali. There, we learned that the buses ahead of us had all turned back on orders from JNIM militants. »
A company representative confirmed that nearly ten buses remain stranded in neighboring countries, while two were burned on national roads over the weekend.
Passengers stranded for days
In another sector, passengers have been waiting for nearly a week to secure travel tickets for routes connecting Bamako to cities like Ségou in central Mali. Seyba, a 60-year-old man from the Ségou region, explained: « I need to return home to attend a funeral, but no buses are available. I’ve checked four other companies, and the situation is the same. If I can’t find a vehicle, I’ll stay in Bamako with relatives until the roads reopen. »
The company manager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that five of their buses were destroyed by militants last Saturday as part of the blockade on Bamako. As a precaution, the company has halted all departures and arrivals to and from the capital until further notice.
