Assalaamu Alaikum - Shipping to Mali Paused Amid Safety and Fuel Crisis
Assalaamu Alaikum. Just a quick update: a Swiss transport company has stopped taking bookings for deliveries to Mali because of serious safety problems and a fuel shortage caused by a blockade from militants. The fuel blockade, now about two months on, has badly affected Bamako, the capital, and convoys trying to bring fuel in have been attacked, making travel dangerous and putting pressure on the military-led authorities.
The company said road transport for goods to Mali is temporarily suspended until conditions improve. A French carrier also said overland shipments were badly affected in terms of delays and higher costs, though after talks with Mali’s Transport Ministry it reversed a suspension decision. Several Western governments have warned their citizens to leave Mali.
There was also a report of five Indian workers being kidnapped near Kobri; they were involved in electrification projects and other staff were moved to Bamako. Kidnappings of foreigners have been happening repeatedly since the instability that began in 2012. Earlier, foreign nationals from other countries were abducted and later released after ransom negotiations.
Analysts say it’s unlikely the militants can fully seize Bamako now - they don’t have the governance capacity or enough force - but their actions are an unprecedented threat and could include harassment operations that raise risks for civilians and aid or commercial routes.
May Allah protect the people of Mali and keep travelers and aid workers safe. Please keep them in your duas.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/