/Reuters Agency
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) reported that it is no longer accepting bookings for Mali due to security problems and a fuel shortage caused by a blockade imposed by militants linked to Al Qaeda.
The fuel obstruction, which has been going on for two months, has been imposed on the landlocked African country by the group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and has practically paralyzed the capital, Bamako.
The group has attacked tanker truck convoys trying to reach Bamako, increasing pressure on the military-led government and raising concerns that the jihadists may eventually try to impose their own regime.
“Due to significant operational challenges caused by security concerns and a fuel shortage, land transport of cargo destined for Mali is temporarily suspended until further notice,” MSC announced.
For its part, the French shipping company CMA CGM reported that its land transport had been “strongly affected both in transit times and costs” due to the fuel and security problems in Mali.
However, it reversed its decision to suspend cargo shipments after meeting with officials from Mali’s Ministry of Transport.
On Friday, France became the latest Western country to recommend that its citizens leave Mali. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy have already issued similar warnings.
