Critical Fuel Convoy, Escorted by Russian Forces, Reaches Mali After Perilous Journey
BAMAKO, Mali – A lifeline of 82 fuel tankers has arrived in Mali’s capital, Bamako, following a 21-day, 1,400-kilometer journey from Niamey, Niger, to alleviate a severe fuel crisis that has paralyzed the city for over two months.
The protracted journey, which normally takes a fraction of the time, was necessitated by extreme insecurity along the route. The convoy faced the constant threat of hijacking by al Qaeda-linked militants who have blockaded key supply routes in a campaign to pressure the country’s military junta.
According to reports, the crucial delivery was made possible only with a military escort provided by the Russian Africa Corps, the successor to the Wagner Group in the region. This direct support underscores the deepening security partnership between Moscow and the juntas of the Sahel.
The fuel shortages in Bamako have been crippling, leading to long queues at gas stations, skyrocketing prices on the black market, and a severe impact on transportation and the local economy. The militant blockade is part of a long-running jihadist insurgency that has plagued Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso for years.
In response to the crisis, Russia has pledged significant support, committing up to 200,000 tonnes of fuel and agricultural supplies to the struggling nation.
The event highlights a major geopolitical realignment in the region. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—now united under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—have decisively turned away from their former colonial ruler and traditional security partner, France. After expelling French forces, all three nations have also withdrawn from the West African bloc, ECOWAS, and are increasingly relying on Russian military and economic assistance in their fight against persistent jihadist insurgencies.
The arrival of the convoy offers temporary relief to Bamako, but it also signals a new era of dependency on Russian logistics and security to keep the capital functioning amid an unrelenting militant threat.
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