In late 2025, the al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) escalated its campaign in Mali by shifting from a rural insurgency to a coordinated “economic war,” targeting the country’s fuel supply and critical infrastructure.
On 3 September 2025, JNIM formally announced a blockade strategy aimed at economically isolating the capital, Bamako. The campaign focused on cutting off fuel imports and disrupting transport networks in the landlocked country, which relies heavily on overland supply routes from neighbouring states.
The group imposed restrictions on fuel deliveries arriving by road from Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Mauritania, while simultaneously blockading key western transit hubs such as Kayes and Nioro du Sahel. Commercial traffic was halted, and residents in some areas were prevented from leaving.
JNIM also targeted logistics infrastructure, including suspending operations of major transport operators it accused of supporting the military. Militants carried out ambushes on highways, destroying fuel tankers and kidnapping drivers, effectively severing supply lines from the Port of Dakar within weeks.
Impact on daily life
The blockade triggered a cascading crisis across Mali’s economy and public services.
Electricity supply, already fragile, deteriorated sharply as fuel shortages crippled power generation. In Bamako, rolling blackouts left many areas with only a few hours of electricity per day. Businesses reliant on diesel generators, including food storage, retail, and small manufacturing, were forced to shut down.
Water access was also affected, as pumping systems depend on electricity. Many residents faced shortages or were forced to rely on costly alternatives.
The cost of living surged as transport disruptions pushed up prices of basic goods. Staple foods such as rice, sugar, and cooking oil rose significantly, while fuel prices on the black market multiplied several times above official rates. Public transport costs also spiked, limiting mobility for low-income workers.
Strain on services
The crisis extended into essential services. Schools and universities temporarily closed in October due to transport disruptions, while hospitals struggled to maintain refrigeration for medicines and vaccines.
Medical facilities reported postponing non-essential procedures to conserve fuel for emergency operations, highlighting the broader strain on the healthcare system.
Humanitarian and security fallout
Beyond the capital, the blockade contributed to worsening humanitarian conditions in northern and central regions. Tens of thousands were displaced from areas such as Timbuktu amid fears of food shortages and insecurity.
Transport disruptions and militant checkpoints further fragmented the country, making travel between regions increasingly dangerous.
The crisis also intensified Mali’s reliance on Russian-linked security forces to escort supply convoys, leading to more frequent clashes along key corridors. While large-scale protests remained limited, public frustration grew as the state struggled to maintain basic services.
Conflict context
The escalation reflects a broader shift in the Mali conflict, which began in 2012 as a northern insurgency and has since evolved into a complex, nationwide crisis involving jihadist groups, military rule, and foreign actors.
Following the withdrawal of French and UN forces and the government’s pivot toward Russian security support, armed groups such as JNIM have increasingly adopted economic disruption as a central tactic, aiming to weaken state control without relying solely on territorial gains.
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