Mali is grappling with a severe fuel crisis following a blockade imposed by an al-Qaeda-linked militant group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The militants have targeted fuel tankers on major highways, disrupting supplies and causing long queues at petrol stations in the capital, Bamako. The blockade has paralyzed businesses, with motorbike taxi drivers and vendors expressing frustration over the standstill in their operations. Despite the arrival of over 300 petrol tankers from Ivory Coast under military escort, fears persist that the new stock will quickly deplete, exacerbating the situation. Fuel prices have surged by more than 200% in some areas, prompting complaints from residents. The crisis has also led to power cuts, with electricity supply reduced to just six hours a day in certain regions. The Malian government has assured citizens that the issue is temporary and has implemented measures to enforce state-capped fuel prices. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Malian officials are engaging in discreet negotiations with the militants to lift the blockade, which includes demands such as the release of captured fighters and the relaxation of fuel restrictions. The blockade highlights the expanding influence of JNIM, which has made much of northern and eastern Mali ungovernable. The situation underscores the broader challenges faced by Mali, including a persistent jihadist insurgency and strained international relations following the withdrawal of UN and French forces and the hiring of Russian mercenaries by the military government.