Mali travel disruptions: blocked roads leave passengers stranded

Travelers in Mali are facing severe disruptions as jihadist groups have blocked key routes leading to Bamako, the capital. The blockade, imposed by the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM) following attacks on April 25, has left transport companies and passengers in a precarious situation.

In recent days, dozens of transport and cargo vehicles heading toward Bamako were set ablaze by militants. While some transport companies continue operating within Mali, many have suspended services due to the escalating security risks.

longer journeys and canceled trips

A prominent transport company in Bamako, which connects the capital to neighboring countries, recently received a bus from Mauritania. The journey from Nouakchott, which typically takes four days, has become fraught with delays and dangers, as described by a Malian migrant named Mody (name changed for security).

Mody was traveling to Bamako to celebrate Eid al-Kebir, scheduled for May 27.

« We left Nouakchott last Thursday at 7 a.m. and arrived at Gogui, near the border, at 11 p.m. The drivers informed us that the road ahead was high-risk, so we spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights waiting. On Sunday morning, we were told a Malian military convoy would escort us, but after a long wait, we proceeded without it. Upon reaching Diéma, we learned that earlier buses had all turned back due to orders from JNIM militants. »

A company spokesperson confirmed that ten buses are currently stranded in neighboring countries, with two destroyed by fire on national roads over the weekend.

waiting for safe passage

In another sector, passengers traveling from Bamako to central Mali, including the city of Ségou, have been waiting for nearly a week for available transport. Seyba, a 60-year-old resident of Ségou, shared his ordeal:

« I came to Bamako to offer my condolences, but there are no buses available. The road is deemed too dangerous. I checked four other transport companies, but the situation is the same. If I can’t find a vehicle, I’ll have to stay with relatives in Bamako until conditions improve. »

The manager of the transport company, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that five buses were destroyed by militants last Saturday. As a precaution, the company has temporarily suspended all routes to and from Bamako.

impact on travel and local communities

The blockade has not only disrupted travel plans but also strained local economies. Transport companies, already struggling with rising costs and insecurity, now face significant financial losses. Passengers, including families traveling for cultural or religious events, are left stranded, unable to reach their destinations safely.

With no clear end to the blockade in sight, travelers and transport operators in Mali continue to navigate an uncertain and increasingly dangerous landscape.