🔗 Share this article The West African nation Closes Schools and Higher Education Centers as Islamist Militant Blockade Intensifies Petrol Shortage Lengthy queues have been forming around petrol stations in the last few days The landlocked West African country has suspended educational facilities and colleges throughout the country due to a severe petrol shortage triggered by a blockade on fuel imports imposed by jihadist fighters. Top education official declared on national broadcast that all education institutions would stay shut until 9 November, explaining that the transportation of personnel and learners had been impacted by the restrictions. He stated that the authorities were “doing everything possible” to end the crisis so that educational activities could continue on the tenth of November. For weeks, the nation has been facing a fuel shortage, especially in the capital Bamako, after militants from an al-Qaeda affiliate enforced a restriction by striking tankers on key routes. Mali is without coastal access, so all petroleum products are transported by road from adjacent nations such as its western neighbor and Côte d'Ivoire. Long queues have been snaking around gas pumps in Bamako in the past few weeks, and the city's normally bustling streets have now apparently become deserted. The ruling military council had earlier this month assured citizens that it was only a short-term problem, but the situation has endured. Last week, the United States diplomatic office in the capital declared that non-essential diplomatic staff and their families would leave Mali amid the intensifying fuel shortage and growing security concerns. It noted that the energy interruptions had affected the supply of electricity and had the “potential to disrupt” the overall security situation in unforeseen manners. The West African nation is now led by a army council led by General Goïta, who assumed authority in a military overthrow in 2021. The junta had public backing when it came to authority, committing to tackle the protracted safety emergency caused by a autonomy movement in the northern region by ethnic Tuaregs, which was then taken over by jihadist fighters. The United Nations stabilization force and European soldiers had been stationed in 2013 to combat the increasing militant activity. These forces have withdrawn since the new administration came in, and the ruling council has contracted Russian mercenaries to tackle the insecurity. Nevertheless, the Islamist rebellion has endured and significant areas of the northern and eastern territories of the nation remain outside government control.