标签： Africa

The West African nation of Mali is grappling with a severe crisis as jihadi militants enforce a blockade on fuel imports, crippling the country’s economy and daily life. Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane announced on Sunday that schools nationwide will remain closed for two weeks due to fuel shortages, which have made it nearly impossible for staff and workers to commute. Mali, a landlocked country of 25 million people, heavily relies on fuel imports from neighboring Senegal and Ivory Coast, making the blockade a significant blow to its already fragile economy. The blockade was imposed by the al-Qaida-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) group in early September, following government efforts to cut fuel supplies to remote areas as a strategy to weaken the militants. This move has left hundreds of fuel trucks stranded at the border, exacerbating the crisis. JNIM, the most potent armed group in the Sahel region, has targeted transport companies along major roads, forcing many to halt operations. Analysts suggest the blockade is a strategic effort to undermine Mali’s military junta, which came to power in a 2020 coup, by pressuring commercial operators and residents to distance themselves from the government. Despite military attempts to escort fuel trucks and conduct airstrikes against JNIM, the lack of air power has limited their effectiveness. The blockade has led to skyrocketing commodity prices, worsening living conditions for millions, with long queues forming at gas stations in the capital, Bamako. Mali, one of Africa’s top gold producers, remains one of the world’s least developed nations, with nearly half its population living in poverty. The crisis highlights the deepening security challenges in the Sahel region, where JNIM is actively destabilizing governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

In a significant development in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared on Sunday that they have secured full control of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. The RSF described the capture as a ‘pivotal moment,’ emphasizing the city’s symbolic, strategic, and military importance. The announcement was made via a statement on Telegram, accompanied by videos on social media platform X showing RSF fighters celebrating outside the Sudanese army’s Sixth Infantry Division headquarters, their last stronghold in the Darfur region. However, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have yet to issue an official response, and local reports suggest that battles in El Fasher may still be ongoing. The El Fasher Resistance Committees, a volunteer group, confirmed that fighters remain steadfast despite the RSF’s claims. El Fasher, the last major administrative center in Darfur under SAF control, has been under siege since May 2024, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis marked by heavy casualties and widespread displacement. The conflict between the SAF and RSF, which began in April 2023, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, deepening Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe.

In a significant escalation of Sudan’s ongoing conflict, paramilitary forces known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have captured a crucial military base in el-Fasher, the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in the Darfur region. This development, reported by activists and aid groups on Monday, marks a turning point in the war that has ravaged the country since April 2023. The RSF’s advance has resulted in widespread civilian casualties, destruction of health infrastructure, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Medical groups reported dozens of deaths, though exact casualty figures remain unclear. El-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur, has been a focal point of the conflict for over a year, with its fall potentially signaling a dangerous new phase in the war. The RSF, which originated from the notorious Janjaweed militias, has been accused of systematic targeting of civilians, arbitrary detentions, and acts amounting to war crimes. Satellite imagery analyzed by The Associated Press and the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale University confirmed the RSF’s advance and the damage inflicted on the military base. The United Nations has expressed deep alarm over the humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in dire conditions. The conflict has already claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced more than 14 million people, creating the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the region.

The Sudanese city of el-Fasher has become the epicenter of a deepening humanitarian crisis as paramilitary forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), claim control over the army’s main base in the region. Despite the RSF’s declaration, Sudan’s military has yet to acknowledge the loss of this strategic stronghold, which would mark a significant turning point in the ongoing civil war. El-Fasher, the last remaining army foothold in Darfur, has been under siege by the RSF and its allies for 18 months, with intense fighting erupting since Saturday after the RSF captured the North Darfur governor’s residence. Verified social media footage shows RSF fighters celebrating their alleged victory, though local army allies report that clashes persist in parts of the city. The RSF has been accused of targeting civilians in airstrikes and trapping nearly 250,000 people by encircling the city with an earth wall, leaving many on the brink of starvation. The United Nations has described el-Fasher as an ‘epicenter of suffering,’ with UN humanitarian official Tom Fletcher expressing deep alarm over civilian casualties and the dire conditions faced by those trapped. Fletcher emphasized the urgent need for safe passage and access to aid for civilians, a call echoed by the United States, which is actively seeking to broker a ceasefire. The capture of el-Fasher would represent a crucial comeback for the RSF following their defeat in Khartoum, but it also signals the likelihood of prolonged conflict rather than resolution. Since 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese army, resulting in over 150,000 deaths and displacing approximately 12 million people. The army retains control over much of the north and east, while the RSF dominates Darfur and large parts of Kordofan. The RSF has previously expressed ambitions to establish a rival government in el-Fasher, further complicating the path to peace. As the crisis deepens, the international community continues to call for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.

Mali has been plunged into a deepening crisis as schools and universities across the nation have been forced to suspend operations due to a severe fuel shortage. The disruption stems from a blockade on fuel imports imposed by Islamist insurgents, who have targeted tankers on major highways. Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane announced the suspension on state television, stating that all educational institutions will remain closed until November 9. The decision was made to address the logistical challenges faced by staff and students in commuting amid the fuel scarcity. The government has assured the public that it is working tirelessly to resolve the crisis and resume classes by November 10. The capital, Bamako, has been particularly hard-hit, with long queues forming at petrol stations and the city’s bustling streets now eerily quiet. Mali, a landlocked country, relies entirely on fuel imports from neighboring nations such as Senegal and Ivory Coast, making it vulnerable to such blockades. The military government, led by General Assimi Goïta, has struggled to contain the crisis despite earlier assurances that the fuel shortage was temporary. The situation has escalated to the point where the US Embassy in Bamako has evacuated non-essential diplomatic staff and their families, citing worsening fuel shortages and heightened security concerns. The embassy warned that the fuel disruptions could lead to unpredictable security challenges and have already impacted electricity supplies. Mali’s ongoing instability is rooted in a complex history of insurgency, with Islamist militants gaining control over large swathes of the north and east. The military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, initially enjoyed popular support for its promises to address the security crisis. However, the withdrawal of UN peacekeeping forces and French troops has left the government reliant on Russian mercenaries to combat the insurgency, with limited success. The current fuel blockade underscores the persistent threat posed by jihadist groups and the broader challenges facing Mali’s fragile governance.