Mali
Muslim communities in Bamako, Mali’s capital, found themselves encircled by a jihadist blockade, forcing many to spend Eid al-Adha, locally known as Tabaski, away from their loved ones this year.
Alpha Amadou, a 40-year-old originally from Mopti in central Mali, was compelled to abandon his customary journey home for this significant annual celebration. “For the first time in my thirty years living in Bamako, I will be celebrating Eid right here,” he shared.
Since late April, militants affiliated with Al-Qaïda’s Sahel branch have established roadblocks on crucial routes leading into Bamako, torching numerous buses and cargo trucks. While the blockade remains partial, unsettling images of burnt-out vehicles have deterred many transport services from operating and travelers from returning to their home villages across Mali.
In Mali, the observance of Eid al-Adha extends far beyond its religious significance, serving as a pivotal social tradition. It represents one of the rare opportunities for families, often dispersed for months due to work, to reunite. However, the usual bustling activity preceding the holiday at Bamako’s bus stations has been replaced by an eerie quiet. Beyond the pervasive insecurity, fuel shortages have further crippled the transportation sector.
“Not only are we struggling with a lack of diesel to keep our vehicles running, but we’ve also lost buses in recent incidents. This is a severe economic blow,” stated a local travel agency owner, who requested anonymity. Another transport company official added, “Normally, we would transport over 50,000 people from Bamako to other regions in a single week for Eid al-Adha. This year, we haven’t scheduled any trips.”
For Wara Bagayoko, the tradition always involved packing the family car and heading to Ségou, in central Mali, for a communal celebration. This year, he will remain in Bamako, as even private vehicles have become targets. “It will be the first time in three decades that I won’t celebrate in my village. The road is simply too perilous,” he explained. Oumar Diarra echoed this sentiment: “Previously, about twenty of us would travel together by motorcycle to Sikasso (in the south) to celebrate. This year, we’re staying in Bamako.” A few minibuses still manage to navigate into the city, using secondary routes or traveling under military escort.
Sheep scarcity impacts traditional sacrifice
The disruptions in transport are also severely hindering the livestock trade, which is vital for the traditional Eid al-Adha sacrifice. Due to the ongoing blockade, herders and traders face immense difficulties in bringing their animals to Bamako, the country’s primary consumer market. Alassane Maiga, a transporter, noted that the cost of transporting an animal, typically between 2,500 and 2,750 CFA francs (around $5), has surged this year to between 15,000 and 18,000 CFA francs ($26 to $31).
Consequently, sheep have become scarce and significantly more expensive in a nation where the monthly minimum wage is only 40,000 CFA francs. “Many trucks carrying sheep have been set ablaze by jihadists… Normally, I would have over 1,000 animals, but today, I don’t have a single one,” lamented Hama Ba, a Bamako merchant. Iyi, who was searching for an affordable sheep, added, “Sheep we once bought for 75,000 francs now sell for 300,000. Before, there was an abundance of choice, but now, they have almost vanished from Bamako.”
Power outages compound daily struggles
The security crisis continues to infiltrate daily life, leading to the degradation of essential services within the city. Bamako is currently grappling with prolonged electricity outages and a severe scarcity of potable water, further exacerbating the challenges faced by its residents.