As the Malian government faces a increasing pressure from insurgents linked to Al Qaeda, who are imposing a blockade on fuel, the United States called its citizens on Tuesday present in Mali to leave the country immediately by commercial flights.

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam activists In early September, Wal-Muslimin announced a blockade on imports of fuel to this landlocked country in West Africa. They attacked according to the information about tank convoys trying to enter the territory or reach the capital, Bamako.

Faced with this fuel shortage, the government has Ordered on Sunday the suspension of courses in schools and universities in Mali for a period of two weeks.

The American Embassy in Mali said in a Press release that “the persistent infrastructure challenges in Mali, in particular the continuation of disruptions in the supply of gasoline and diesel, the closure of public institutions such as schools and universities nationwide, as well as the ongoing armed conflict between the The Malian government and terrorist groups around Bamako are increasing the unpredictability of the security situation in Bamako.”

According to analysts, this fuel blockade is part of a pressure strategy carried out by armed groups against the Malian military government, in order to suffocate the country's economy.

The embassy states that Bamako airport remains open and advises American nationals to leave Mali by commercial flights, rather than trying to reach neighboring countries by way terrestrial, due to the risk of “terrorist attacks along the roads” national”.