BAMAKO: Swiss-based transport company MSC said it was no longer accepting bookings to Mali due to security issues and a fuel shortage resulting from a blockade imposed by militants.
The two-month-old fuel blockade imposed by militants on the landlocked West African country has all but paralyzed the capital, Bamako.
The terror group has attacked convoys of fuel tankers attempting to reach Bamako, turning the screws on the military-led government and raising concern that the extremists might eventually try to impose their rule.
“Due to major operational challenges caused by safety concerns and a fuel shortage, road transportation for cargo destined for Mali is temporarily suspended until further notice,” MSC said in a statement posted to its website on Thursday.
French shipping company CMA CGM said on Thursday that its overland transport had been “heavily impacted in terms of both transit times and costs” due to fuel and security issues in Mali.
