France calls on nationals to leave the West African nation urgently during Islamist fuel blockade
The French Republic has released an immediate recommendation for its nationals in Mali to evacuate as quickly as possible, as jihadist fighters maintain their embargo of the country.
The Paris's external affairs department recommended individuals to exit using aviation transport while they continue operating, and to refrain from surface transportation.
Petroleum Shortage Intensifies
A two-month-old petroleum embargo on Mali, implemented by an al-Qaeda-affiliated group has upended daily life in the capital, the capital city, and different parts of the landlocked West African country - a one-time French territory.
France's statement came as the global shipping giant - the world's biggest shipping company - stating it was suspending its operations in Mali, referencing the embargo and worsening safety.
Militant Operations
The Islamist organization the Islamist alliance has caused the hindrance by targeting petroleum vehicles on major highways.
Mali has restricted maritime borders so all fuel supplies are transported by highway from adjacent countries such as Senegal and Ivory Coast.
International Response
In recent weeks, the American diplomatic mission in the capital announced that non-essential diplomatic staff and their families would leave Mali during the situation.
It said the fuel disruptions had impacted the energy distribution and had the "possibility of affecting" the "general safety conditions" in "uncertain fashions".
Political Context
Mali is now led by a military leadership headed by General Goïta, who initially took control in a military takeover in the past decade.
The junta had civilian backing when it took power, committing to handle the extended stability issues prompted by a autonomy movement in the northern region by ethnic Tuaregs, which was subsequently taken over by Islamist militants.
Foreign Deployment
The United Nations stabilization force and French forces had been stationed in recent years to handle the escalating insurgency.
The two have withdrawn since the military assumed control, and the security leadership has contracted Russian mercenaries to combat the instability.
However, the militant uprising has continued and extensive regions of the northern and eastern territories of the country persist away from official jurisdiction.
