Mali travelers stuck due to road blockades towards Bamako

Travelers in Mali are facing severe disruptions after jihadist groups, specifically the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim), enforced a blockade on key routes leading to Bamako following attacks on April 25. This has left numerous transport and cargo vehicles torched, halting essential supply chains and passenger mobility.

The blockade, imposed in retaliation to military operations, has escalated travel challenges, with some transport companies suspending services entirely while others struggle to maintain irregular schedules.

Extended journeys and cancellations

A bus traveling from Mauritania, which departed Nouakchott last week, exemplifies the delays. Mody, a Malian migrant heading to Bamako for Eid al-Kebir celebrations on May 27, shares his ordeal: “We left Nouakchott at 7 AM Thursday and reached the border town of Gogui by 11 PM. Transport operators warned us of the risks. We spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights stranded there. Sunday morning, we were told a Malian military convoy would escort us. After waiting, we proceeded without military support to Diéma. That’s where we learned buses ahead of us had turned back under orders from Jnim militants.”

A transport company spokesperson confirmed that over ten buses are currently stranded in neighboring countries, with two vehicles set ablaze on national highways over the weekend. The company has temporarily halted operations to and from Bamako due to safety concerns.

Week-long waits and disrupted plans

In central Mali, passengers bound for Ségou, a key city in the region, have been waiting nearly a week for available seats. Seyba, a 60-year-old traveler from Ségou, explains his predicament: “I came to Bamako to offer condolences for a family loss. No buses are available now—the roads are deemed unsafe. I checked four other companies, but the situation is identical. If I can’t find a ride back to Ségou, I’ll stay with relatives in Bamako until the blockade lifts.”

The company’s manager, speaking anonymously, revealed the loss of five buses to arson attacks on Saturday alone. These vehicles were targeted by Jnim militants enforcing the blockade, further crippling transportation networks.