Travelers in Mali are facing severe challenges due to a blockade imposed on the country’s primary roadways leading to Bamako. This disruption was initiated by the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), following coordinated attacks on April 25 that targeted multiple regions across the nation.

Last week, militants set fire to dozens of transportation and cargo vehicles heading toward the Malian capital. While some transport companies persist in operating across various regions, others have temporarily suspended services altogether.

extended delays and canceled trips

On the morning of May 11, we visited a respected transportation company in Bamako that serves several neighboring countries. A bus arriving from Mauritania, which departed Nouakchott the previous week, was among the vehicles we observed.

Mody, a Malian migrant heading to Bamako to celebrate Eid al-Kabir on May 27, shared his harrowing experience: “We left Nouakchott last Thursday at 7 a.m. and arrived in Gogui, near the border, at 11 p.m. The drivers warned us the route was dangerous, so we spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights there. Sunday morning, we learned a Malian military convoy would escort us. After a long wait, we finally departed without the military escort to reach Diéma in Mali. That’s where we heard all the buses ahead of us had turned back on orders from JNIM militants.”

A company representative confirmed that about ten of their buses are currently stranded in neighboring countries, with two being torched over the weekend on national highways.

waiting for a way forward

In the same area, another transport company connecting Bamako to cities like Ségou in central Mali is facing similar struggles. Passengers here have been waiting nearly a week for available tickets.

Seyba, a 60-year-old traveler from Ségou, explained his predicament: “I need to return home, but no buses are available. I came to offer my condolences after a family loss, but the road is deemed unsafe. I’ve checked four other companies with no luck. If I can’t find a ride back to Ségou, I’ll stay with relatives in Bamako until it’s safe.”

The company’s manager, speaking off the record, revealed that five buses were destroyed by militants last Saturday as part of the blockade enforcement.

For now, the company has halted all departures and arrivals to and from Bamako, leaving travelers stranded and uncertain about their next move.