Mon Oct 27 08:59:38 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:

Mali Shutters Schools Amid Fuel Crisis Triggered by Jihadist Blockade

Bamako, Mali – The Malian government has ordered a two-week closure of all schools and universities nationwide, citing severe fuel shortages exacerbated by a blockade imposed by the Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate. The closure, announced on Sunday, is effective immediately and will last until November 9th, with classes scheduled to resume on November 10th.

Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane attributed the suspension to disruptions in fuel supplies, impacting the ability of school staff to commute. The government assured the public that it is “doing everything possible” to restore normal fuel supplies before classes resume.

The ongoing crisis stems from a blockade declared by JNIM in September, targeting fuel tankers entering Mali primarily from Senegal and the Ivory Coast. The group initially stated the blockade was retaliation for the Malian government’s ban on selling fuel outside designated stations in rural areas, a measure intended to disrupt JNIM’s own supply lines.

The blockade has crippled the already fragile Malian economy, causing significant price increases and widespread transportation disruptions. Long queues have become commonplace at gas stations in the capital, Bamako, as fuel supplies dwindle. The Interministerial Committee for Crisis and Disaster Management announced restrictions on fuel supplies until “further notice,” prioritizing emergency vehicles, assistance services, and public transportation.

This fuel crisis represents a significant challenge to Mali’s military government, which seized power in 2020 promising to address the country’s long-standing security issues. Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has been battling various armed groups, including those linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, for over a decade. Following recent coups, these countries have expelled French forces and sought security assistance from Russian mercenary groups, a move that analysts say has had limited impact on the overall security situation. The JNIM blockade highlights the continued instability and the ongoing struggle for control in the Sahel region.

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