Mali services are suspended by shipping company MSC due to fuel and security issues
MSC, a Swiss transportation company, announced that it was no longer taking reservations for Mali because of security concerns and a gasoline shortage brought on by a blockade enforced by terrorists with ties to al Qaeda.
The city, Bamako, is essentially paralyzed by the petroleum blockade imposed by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) on the landlocked West African nation for the past two months.
The gang has targeted fuel tanker convoys trying to get to Bamako, undermining the military-led administration and igniting fears that the jihadists may eventually attempt to establish their rule.
MSC stated in a statement on its website Thursday that “road transportation for cargo destined for Mali is temporarily suspended until further notice due to major operational challenges caused by safety concerns and a fuel shortage.”
Mali’s fuel and security problems have “heavily impacted in terms of both transit times and costs” for the French maritime giant CMA CGM’s overland transportation, the company said Thursday.
In contrast, it met with representatives of Mali’s transport ministry and overturned a decision to halt cargo shipments.
France was the most recent Western nation to urge its nationals to flee Mali on Friday. The notices from the United States, Britain, and Italy are similar.
