A terrorist blockade around Mali’s capital has stranded thousands of residents in Bamako ahead of Eid celebrations, disrupting travel, transport and livestock supplies.
Thousands of residents in Mali’s capital, Bamako, have been unable to travel home for Eid celebrations after terrorists imposed a blockade on key roads leading into the city.
Fighters linked to Al-Qaeda’s Sahel branch have reportedly torched buses and freight trucks since late April, forcing many transport operators to suspend services.
“For the first time in 30 years living in Bamako, I’ll be celebrating Eid here this year,” resident Alpha Amadou told AFP.
Transport companies said insecurity and fuel shortages had crippled operations ahead of the major Muslim festival, locally known as Tabaski.
“Normally, we could transport more than 50,000 people from Bamako to other regions in a week for Tabaski. This year, we’re not planning any trips,” a transport manager said.
The disruption has also triggered sharp increases in sheep prices and worsened electricity and water shortages across the city ahead of the celebrations.
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