The city of Bamako, Mali’s capital, has been under a blockade by JNIM jihadists since April 30. Amnesty International’s call on May 15 emphasized the critical need to uphold civilian safety and rights of passage. This blockade follows a series of coordinated assaults on April 25 and 26, when JNIM, an Al-Qaïda affiliate, alongside the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA) rebellion, targeted strategic positions held by the ruling military regime across Mali.

“Unacceptable consequences” of the blockade

In a formal statement, the organization expressed deep concern over the “unacceptable consequences on the freedom of movement for civilians,” warning that the ongoing blockade “could lead to severe violations of their rights to food security, health, and life.” Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty’s regional director, underscored the illegality of such actions: “Attacks against civilian vehicles used for civilian purposes are unlawful. Under international humanitarian law, all parties to an armed conflict must always distinguish between civilians and combatants.”

Amnesty International’s statement specifically highlighted an attack on Wednesday, May 6, targeting “a convoy of trucks carrying goods belonging to civilian businesses, including fruits, traveling between Bamako and Bougouni.” The organization emphasized that these vehicles “were not escorted by the military and carried neither military personnel nor equipment.” As a direct result of the JNIM blockade, several transport companies had previously announced their decision to suspend all routes to and from Bamako earlier in the week, further isolating the capital.