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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.
But it reversed a decision to suspend cargo shipments after meeting with officials at Mali’s Transport Ministry.
France on Friday became the latest Western country to advise its citizens to leave Mali.��
The US, Britain, and Italy have issued similar notices.
Gunmen have kidnapped five Indian nationals in Mali, their company and a security source said.
The workers were kidnapped on Thursday by gunmen near Kobri, in western Mali, said the security source, adding they were employed by a company that is working on electrification projects.
“We confirm the kidnapping of five Indian nationals,” a company representative said.
“The other Indians working for the company have been evacuated to Bamako,” the capital, he added.
Kidnappings targeting foreigners are common in the country, which has been plagued by coups and conflicts since 2012.
Extremists kidnapped two Emirati nationals and an Iranian near Bamako in September.
The victims were released last week for a ransom of at least $50 million, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Bamako’s fall seems unlikely at this stage, observers say, as the extremist group lacks the military and governance capacity.
“I do not believe the militants possess the capability or intent to take Bamako at this time, though the threat it now poses to the city is unprecedented,” said Charlie Werb, an analyst with Aldebaran Threat Consultants.
According to an African diplomatic source in Bamako, the extremists “may initially launch a harassment operation,” but would not be able to take Bamako on their own.

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