Mali capital Bamako blockade

Mali's capital, Mali — Bamako>>>, is facing a severe economic crisis due to a blockade imposed by the al-Qaida-linked group Jama at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin>>>. This blockade, which began earlier this month and follows a previous oil import blockade since September 2025, has caused sheep prices to nearly double ahead of Eid al-Adha, making the traditional sacrifice unaffordable for many. The militants regularly attack and burn convoys of goods and fuel from coastal neighbors like Senegal>>> and Ivory Coast>>>, aiming to destabilize Mali>>>'s economy and undermine its military government. Despite efforts by the Mali — Malian Armed Forces>>> and Afrika Korps>>> mercenaries to escort convoys, supply remains inadequate, leading to widespread shortages and insecurity. This event is part of a decade-long insurgency involving groups like Al-Qaeda>>> and the Islamic State>>> group, which has worsened since a 2020 military coup and Mali>>>'s pivot to Russia>>> for security assistance.