Jihadists threaten to overrun Mali as blockades continue

Since September, Mali has been under increasing pressure from jihadists affiliated with the al Qaeda-linked JNIM, who have implemented widespread blockades, notably a crippling fuel blockade. This situation has paralyzed the economy of the landlocked Sahel nation, leading to significant unrest and violence. As a result, many residents are fleeing westward into Mauritania, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. Oluwole Ojewale, a coordinator at the Institute for Security Studies, highlights the dire implications of these developments, emphasizing the potential for further destabilization in West Africa.