Mali Shuts Down Schools and Universities as Terror Attacks on Fuel Tankers Trigger Nationwide Fuel Shortage

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Mali is facing a severe nationwide fuel shortage after a series of terrorist attacks on fuel tankers disrupted the country’s main supply routes, paralyzing transport and forcing the government to suspend schools and universities indefinitely.

According to government officials, several fuel convoys were ambushed by armed militants along key highways connecting Mali to neighboring countries, leaving multiple drivers dead and dozens of trucks destroyed. The attacks, believed to have been carried out by Islamist insurgent groups, have intensified the country’s ongoing security crisis.

“These attacks have crippled our fuel distribution network,” said a senior official in Mali’s Ministry of Energy. “We are working with security forces to secure supply routes and restore normal deliveries.”

Long queues have formed at petrol stations across Bamako, Sikasso, and Mopti, with many stations already completely out of stock. Public transport operators have halted operations, while private vehicle owners are paying record-high black market prices for fuel.

The Ministry of Education announced on Friday that all schools and universities are to remain closed until further notice, citing the inability of students and staff to commute amid the worsening scarcity.

“This is a temporary but necessary measure to ensure safety and manage the crisis effectively,” the ministry said in a statement.

Residents have expressed frustration over what they describe as government inaction and rising insecurity, as Mali continues to grapple with terrorist violence, economic hardship, and international isolation following the military junta’s fallout with regional bodies.

Economic analysts warn that the ongoing fuel crisis could further cripple Mali’s economy, disrupt food supplies, and worsen inflation if not resolved swiftly.

Meanwhile, security forces have launched intensified patrols along key trade corridors to prevent further attacks, though officials admit that supply restoration may take weeks.