travelers stranded as blockade cuts off roads to Bamako
Travelers in Mali are facing severe disruptions following a deliberate blockade on major routes leading to the capital, Bamako. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim), a militant faction, imposed the restrictions after coordinated attacks on April 25 targeted multiple regions across the country.
In recent days, jihadist groups torched numerous transport and cargo vehicles attempting to reach Bamako. While some transport companies persist in operating within the country, many have suspended services entirely due to the escalating safety risks.
extended delays and canceled journeys
Travel times have ballooned, and service cancellations are now commonplace. A transport company based in Bamako, which typically connects the capital to neighboring countries, recently received a bus from Mauritania that departed Nouakchott over a week ago. The journey, normally four days, has become a grueling ordeal fraught with delays and uncertainty.
Mody, a Malian migrant traveling to Bamako for Eid al-Adha celebrations on May 27, shared his harrowing experience:
« We left Nouakchott last Thursday at 7 a.m. and arrived in Gogui at the border by 11 p.m. The drivers warned us the route was too dangerous. We spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights stranded there. On Sunday morning, we were told a Malian military convoy would escort us. After waiting for hours, we finally moved forward without the convoy and reached Diéma in Mali. That’s when we learned the earlier buses had all turned back after jihadists from Jnim ordered them to retreat. »
A company representative confirmed that around ten buses remain stranded in neighboring countries, with two set ablaze over the weekend on national highways. The company has temporarily halted all departures and arrivals in Bamako until further notice.
passengers stuck for days without options
In another transport hub connecting Bamako to central cities like Ségou, passengers have been waiting for nearly a week to secure travel tickets. Seyba, a 60-year-old traveler from Ségou, recounted his struggles:
« I came to Bamako to offer condolences after a relative’s passing. Now, I need to return to Ségou, but no buses are available. Every transport company I checked has the same issue. If I can’t find a way back soon, I’ll have to stay longer in Bamako with relatives. »
The company owner, speaking off the record, revealed that five of their buses were destroyed by Jnim militants over the weekend, forcing the temporary shutdown of all routes to and from Bamako.
With no clear resolution in sight, travelers remain stranded, grappling with extended wait times, safety concerns, and the economic strain of halted journeys.