Travelers heading to Bamako are facing severe disruptions due to a blockade on Mali’s key roadways, enforced by armed groups following recent violent clashes. The restrictions, imposed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim) after attacks on April 25, have left countless vehicles stranded and supply chains in chaos.
The situation escalated last week when dozens of transport and cargo vehicles were set ablaze along routes leading to the Malian capital. While some transport companies persist in operating despite the risks, others have suspended services entirely, leaving passengers and businesses in limbo.
Extended delays and canceled journeys
A journey that typically takes four days from Mauritania to Bamako has become a grueling ordeal for travelers like Mody, a Malian migrant traveling under a pseudonym for safety. His trip, which began in Nouakchott, has been fraught with delays and uncertainty.
« We left Nouakchott last Thursday at 7 AM and reached the border at Gogui by 11 PM, » Mody recounts. « Transport officials warned us the route was too dangerous. We spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights waiting. Sunday morning, we were told a military convoy would escort us. After a long wait, we finally departed—without the military escort—to Diéma. There, we learned that earlier buses had all turned back under orders from Jnim militants. »
A transport company spokesperson confirmed that at least ten of their buses are stranded in neighboring countries, with two vehicles torched over the weekend on national highways. The blockade has forced the company to halt departures and arrivals in Bamako entirely.
Passengers stranded for over a week
In another incident, passengers heading from Bamako to regional hubs like Ségou in central Mali have been waiting for nearly a week for available transport. Seyba, a 60-year-old traveler from Ségou, shares his predicament:
« I came to Bamako to offer condolences after a family loss, but now I’m stuck. No buses are available. I’ve checked four other transport companies with the same result. If I can’t find a ride back, I’ll have to stay with relatives here until conditions improve. »
The company’s manager, speaking off the record, revealed that five of their buses were burned by Jnim militants over the weekend as part of the blockade strategy. With no clear resolution in sight, transport operators are prioritizing passenger safety over schedules, leaving many travelers uncertain about their next move.
