The city of Bamako, Mali’s capital, has been subjected to a blockade by JNIM jihadists since Thursday, April 30. This development follows coordinated attacks on April 25 and 26 by JNIM, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) rebellion, which targeted several strategic military positions held by the ruling regime.

Blockade poses “unacceptable consequences”

In a recent statement, the organization expressed profound 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.” Amnesty’s regional director, Marceau Sivieude, underscored that “attacks against civilian vehicles used for civilian purposes are illegal. Under international humanitarian law, all parties to an armed conflict must always differentiate” between civilians and combatants.

The human rights body highlighted an incident on Wednesday, May 6, involving an attack on “a convoy of trucks transporting goods belonging to civilian companies, including fruits, between Bamako and Bougouni.” The organization asserted that these vehicles “were not escorted by the army and were not carrying military personnel or equipment.” As a direct result of the blockade, several transport companies announced earlier in the week the suspension of their routes connecting to and from Bamako, further isolating the capital.