Malian President Assimi Goïta is facing an increasingly difficult situation. Following the United States' decision, Germany and Italy have also urged their citizens to leave Mali immediately.

On Tuesday, the US embassy in Bamako had already asked its citizens to "leave immediately" due to the "unpredictable nature of the security situation." On Wednesday, Italy and Germany followed suit, urging their nationals to leave as soon as possible.

These calls to leave coincide with the serious consequences of a two-week blockade imposed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM, affiliated with Al-Qaeda) on the capital, Bamako. The economy of the landlocked country has ground to a halt, and daily life for its inhabitants has become extremely difficult.

Fuel and electricity shortages

The fuel shortage is particularly acute. In Bamako's business district, long lines of cars and motorcycles form day and night in front of the few gas stations, hoping to get gasoline. Some drivers are "unemployed" due to the lack of fuel, like Karim Coulibaly, who spent three days and two nights in line for a rationed supply costing 10,000 CFA francs (about 13 liters).

The liter, sold at 725 CFA francs at the pump, is resold for up to 2,000 CFA francs (3 euros) on the black market.

Since September, JNIM, which targets tanker trucks coming primarily from Senegal and Ivory Coast, has imposed this blockade in retaliation for a government measure prohibiting the sale of fuel in rural areas outside of service stations. According to the authorities, this measure aimed to cut off the jihadists' supply lines. Despite military escorts, trucks have been set on fire and personnel killed or abducted.

The fuel shortage, essential to the country's energy supply, is exacerbating chronic power outages. The supply, previously 19 hours a day, has been reduced to just six hours by Énergie du Mali (EDM). This situation is paralyzing activity, preventing workers like electrician Mamadou Coulibaly from working and even from charging their phones.

Impact on daily life and the economy

The impact of the crisis is being felt across all sectors. The junta has announced the suspension of classes in schools and universities for two weeks. At the height of harvest season, fuel shortages are preventing some agricultural machinery from operating.

Contrary to expectations, the prices of cereals such as rice and millet have not fallen. The shortage is also affecting food stocks in grocery stores, as the lack of electricity is hindering the production of locally manufactured goods (spaghetti, yogurt, etc.).

Faced with the silence of the authorities, Bamako residents are seeking solutions to address the shortage. Some are investing in solar panels. Others, like the young mechanic Chaka Doumbia, are experimenting with homemade mixtures, such as paint thinner and alcohol, to get their motorcycles running – at the risk of setting them on fire.