The West African nation Shuts Down Schools and Universities as Islamist Militant Blockade Exacerbates Petrol Shortage
The landlocked West African country has suspended educational facilities and colleges countrywide due to a acute fuel scarcity caused by a restriction on energy resources implemented by Islamist insurgents.
Minister of Education stated on state television that all education institutions would be inactive until 9 November, clarifying that the transportation of personnel and learners had been disrupted by the restrictions.
He asserted that the administration were “making every effort” to end the emergency so that academic sessions could resume on 10 November.
For a number of weeks, the nation has been facing a fuel shortage, especially in the capital Bamako, after armed groups from an al-Qaeda affiliate imposed a restriction by striking tankers on primary roads.
The country is surrounded by land, so all petroleum products are transported by road from neighboring states such as its western neighbor and Ivory Coast.
Lengthy waits have been winding around petrol stations in the capital in the past few weeks, and the city's normally bustling streets have now apparently grown silent.
The military government had in recent days assured residents that it was only a temporary issue, but the situation has continued.
Recently, the United States diplomatic office in the capital stated that non-essential diplomatic staff and their relatives would evacuate Mali amid the worsening petrol scarcity and growing security concerns.
It noted that the petroleum supply issues had disrupted the energy availability and had the “ability to disturb” the overall security situation in unpredictable ways.
Mali is currently ruled by a army council under the leadership of General Goïta, who took control in a coup in recently.
The junta had widespread approval when it came to authority, committing to address the long-running security crisis prompted by a autonomy movement in the northern region by the Tuareg population, which was then hijacked by Islamist militants.
The international UN troops and French forces had been sent in previously to combat the increasing militant activity.
The international troops have departed since the new administration came in, and the current administration has contracted Russian mercenaries to tackle the instability.
Nevertheless, the Islamist rebellion has persisted and significant areas of the northern and eastern territories of the country remain beyond state authority.