In a significant move, Mali’s ruling military junta has suspended the operations of two prominent French television channels, TF1 and LCI, accusing them of disseminating unverified and false information regarding a fuel blockade imposed by the al-Qaida-linked militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The decision was announced by Mali’s High Authority for Communication in a letter dated November 13, which was made public on Friday. The regulatory body cited a broadcast from November 9 as the basis for its action, disputing claims that the junta had banned fuel sales, that the regions of Kayes and Nioro were under complete blockade, and that terrorists were nearing the capital, Bamako. The letter stated that the channels’ services would be removed from distribution packages until further notice. Since September, JNIM has enforced a fuel blockade in Mali, exacerbating the country’s security and economic challenges. The resulting fuel shortages have led to long queues at gas stations and heightened instability. In response, several Western embassies, including those of the United States and France, have advised their citizens to leave the country. Mali, along with neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso, has been under military rule following coups in recent years, with leaders promising improved security. However, analysts note that the security situation in the Sahel region has deteriorated significantly, with record levels of attacks and civilian casualties attributed to both Islamic militants and government forces.