Bamako road blockades disrupt travel across Mali
The recent blockade of key roadways leading to Bamako, Mali’s capital, has left travelers and transporters in a precarious situation. Enforced by the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), this disruption follows attacks on April 25 that targeted multiple regions nationwide. Dozens of transport and goods vehicles en route to Bamako were torched last week by jihadist groups, compounding travel woes for civilians.
While some transport companies continue limited operations, others have suspended services entirely, exacerbating delays and cancellations across Mali’s transit network.
Extended journeys and canceled trips
A visit to a prominent Bamako-based transport company on May 11 revealed the struggles faced by travelers attempting to reach the capital. Among them was Mody, a Malian migrant traveling from Nouakchott, Mauritania, hoping to celebrate Eid al-Adha in Bamako on May 27.
« We left Nouakchott last Thursday at 7 a.m., arriving in Gogui at the border by 11 p.m., » he recounted. « Drivers warned us the route was unsafe. We spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights stranded at the border. Sunday morning, we were told a Malian army convoy would escort us. After hours of waiting, we departed without military protection, heading to Diéma in Mali. There, we learned earlier buses had been forced to turn back after jihadists from JNIM ordered them to halt. »
A company spokesperson confirmed that nearly ten buses remain stranded in neighboring countries, with two set ablaze on national roads over the weekend.
Travelers stranded for a week
Similar disruptions plague routes connecting Bamako to central regions like Ségou. Seyba, a 60-year-old from Ségou, has waited nearly a week for a ticket to return home after attending a funeral. « The roads are deemed too dangerous, » he explained. « I checked four other companies, but none have available buses. If I don’t find a ride, I’ll stay in Bamako with relatives. »
The company owner, speaking off-record, revealed that five of their buses were burned by JNIM militants last Saturday. In response, the firm has temporarily halted all departures to and from Bamako until further notice.
The ongoing blockade underscores the severe impact on Mali’s transport sector, leaving civilians grappling with uncertainty and disrupted plans.
