• U.S. urges citizens to leave Mali due to worsening security, fuel shortages
• Jihadist attacks have blocked supply routes, crippling transport and services
• Bamako airport remains open; overland travel deemed unsafe by U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy in Mali on Tuesday urged U.S. citizens to "immediately depart" the country, citing an extremely unpredictable security situation caused by the collapse of transport and supply infrastructure and ongoing fighting between the Malian army and armed groups.

Washington said ground routes to neighboring countries now pose serious risks and recommended that U.S. citizens leave on commercial flights.

 "The international airport in Bamako remains open and flights are available. U.S. citizens should depart using commercial aviation, as overland routes to neighboring countries may not be safe for travel due to terrorist attacks along national highways," the embassy said.

The advisory follows the U.S. decision to remove Mali from the list of countries whose nationals must post a bond to obtain a U.S. visa.

Since September, fighters from Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, have stepped up attacks on fuel tankers supplying Mali. The operations have blocked key supply routes from Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, triggering fuel shortages, forcing schools, universities, and public services to shut down for lack of fuel, and causing economic distress. In Bamako, lines at the few open gas stations have grown long and transport prices have soared.

Since the military coup in 2020 and a second coup in 2021, the country has severed ties with its former Western partners. However, this geopolitical shift has failed to curb the growing influence of jihadist groups, which are now attempting to encircle the capital. The ongoing fuel blockade aims both to economically strangle the regime and to demonstrate its inability to protect strategic supply lines.

If the situation continues, Mali risks a complete paralysis of its institutions and economic activity. The isolation of Bamako could further heighten international concern and accelerate the departure of remaining diplomatic and humanitarian personnel.

Olivier de Souza