Swiss-based transport company MSC said it was no longer accepting bookings for Mali due to security issues and a shortage of fuel resulting from a blockade imposed by al Qaeda-linked militants.

The two-month-old fuel blockade on the landlocked West African country by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has all but paralysed the capital Bamako.⁠
The group has attacked convoys of fuel tankers attempting to reach Bamako, turning the screws on the military-led government and raising concern that the jihadists might try eventually to impose their rule.

“Due to major operational challenges caused by safety concerns and a fuel shortage, road transportation for cargo destined for Mali is temporarily suspended until further notice,” MSC said in a statement posted to its website on Thursday.

French shipping company CMA CGM said on Thursday its overland transport had been “heavily impacted in ⁠terms of both transit times and costs” because of Mali’s fuel and security issues.

But it reversed a decision to suspend cargo shipments after meeting with officials at Mali’s ⁠transport ministry.

France on Friday became the latest Western country to advise its citizens to leave Mali. The ⁠U.S., Britain and Italy have issued similar notices.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Mali newsroomWriting by Robbie Corey-BouletEditing by Ros Russell)