The West African nation Shuts Down Schools and Higher Education Centers as Islamist Militant Restrictions Exacerbates Petrol Emergency

Mali has suspended schools and higher learning institutions across the nation due to a acute energy crisis triggered by a blockade on energy resources implemented by jihadist fighters.

The Education Minister declared on public media that all academic facilities would be inactive until 9 November, clarifying that the transportation of personnel and students had been impacted by the imposed limitations.

He stated that the authorities were “doing everything possible” to alleviate the crisis so that academic sessions could resume on November 10th.

For weeks, Mali has been experiencing a fuel shortage, notably in the administrative center, after militants from an jihadist network imposed a blockade by attacking tankers on primary roads.

The country is without coastal access, so all energy resources are brought in by land routes from neighboring states such as its western neighbor and Ivory Coast.

Extended lines have been snaking around petrol stations in the capital in the past few weeks, and the city's normally bustling streets have now apparently grown silent.

The ruling military council had earlier this month reassured residents that it was only a temporary issue, but the crisis has continued.

Last week, the US Embassy in Bamako declared that non-essential diplomatic staff and their relatives would leave the country amid the intensifying petrol scarcity and increasing safety issues.

It explained that the energy interruptions had impacted the supply of electricity and had the “potential to disrupt” the overall security situation in unpredictable ways.

The West African nation is now led by a army council under the leadership of General Goïta, who seized power in a coup in two years ago.

The junta had public backing when it assumed control, promising to address the long-running security crisis triggered by a separatist rebellion in the northern region by Tuareg communities, which was then co-opted by extremist groups.

The UN peacekeeping mission and European soldiers had been sent in previously to deal with the growing rebellion.

The international troops have withdrawn since the junta took over, and the ruling council has hired private military contractors to tackle the violence.

Nonetheless, the Islamist rebellion has persisted and significant areas of the north and east of the country remain not under administrative command.