Politics Islamists paralyze Mali - USA calls on citizens to leave the country
Due to increasingly dramatic fuel shortages in Mali, the USA is calling on its citizens to leave the country as a matter of urgency. Islamists allied with the terrorist militia al-Qaeda have largely cut off fuel and diesel supplies to the West African country for weeks. Schools and universities across the country have been closed since this week until November 9.
28.10.2025, 20:22
SDA
The US embassy in the capital Bamako warns of an unpredictable security situation due to the fuel shortage and the conflict between Malian troops and terrorists near Bamako. "US citizens currently in Mali should leave the country immediately by commercial airplane," it said. Citizens who remain there should expect to be secured in place for an extended period of time if necessary.
Al-Qaeda allies paralyze the landlocked country
Mali has been overrun by Islamist terrorist groups since 2012, which have also spread to neighboring states. The group JNIM, which is allied with al-Qaeda, has been targeting the important roads to the coastal states of Senegal and Ivory Coast for several months and setting fire to trucks carrying fuel. The transportation of people and goods is severely restricted and costs are exploding. The landlocked country, where the power supply is often only possible with diesel generators, comes under severe pressure as a result of the blockade.
Following coups in 2020 and 2021, the country is ruled by a military junta like its neighbors. A UN peacekeeping mission, in which the German Armed Forces were also involved, and a French anti-terror mission were expelled from the country. Instead, the country relied on Russian mercenaries.
