'How are we going to get back home?' Islamist group tightens blockade on Mali capital

She and many others have been stranded on the Bamako-Kéniéba highway, a major road out of the capital for almost a day.

It follows Wednesday's warning by fighters from the group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) that "no-one will be allowed in any more".

Last year, the Islamist groups imposed a fuel blockade on the city, causing shortages and a sharp increase in prices but they have now ordered a total blockade, leaving residents worried.

Last weekend saw nationwide, coordinated attacks by an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels in the north - the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) - seeking to overthrow the military regime of Gen Assimi Goïta, who seized power in a coup in 2020.

During the attacks, Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near Bamako. He was buried on Thursday amid tight security in front of thousands of people, including Goïta, reports the AFP news agency.

Mali's army has been working with the Russian paramilitary group, the Africa Corps, which emerged from the Wagner Group, against the insurgents.

In the face of the attacks, the Russians were forced to withdraw from the northern city of Kidal, which is now under FLA control. The FLA now say they will march on other cities in the north and have demanded the withdrawal of the Africa Corps from the entire country.

A Kremlin spokesperson on Thursday vowed that Russian forces would remain in Mali "to combat extremism, terrorism and other harmful phenomena and will continue to provide assistance to the current government".

"I'm stuck here and it sounds dangerous. I would rather run away to save my life than fight for the goods I have to deliver. I've never thought like this before."

‎A total blockade has been imposed on Ségou, a town less than 80m (50 miles) from the capital, leaving hundreds of vehicles, trucks, buses and cars, stranded.

Passengers, including families and traders, have been stuck there for days, struggling to access water and food, according to a reporter in the town.

‎According to state media, junta leader Goïta vowed tough action against the insurgents, following an emergency security council meeting on Wednesday. Goïta also claimed armed and security forces had managed to inflict "heavy losses" on the rebels.

After a similar alliance of jihadists and ethnic Tuareg separatists advanced on Bamako in 2013, French forces, alongside those from other African countries, intervened to protect the capital.

They succeeded in pushing the insurgents back but they continued to stage attacks and the country remained unstable. After seizing power, Goïta expelled the French and instead turned to Russia for support but the situation has not improved, culminating in last weekend's attacks.

‎Several countries - including France, Canada, and the United Kingdom - have urged their citizens to leave Mali, while the US recommends staying at home.

"It has become a part of me since I came here in 2002. We'll stay with my family. We know things will be OK."

Additional reporting by Natasha Booty

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