🔗 Share this article France advises nationals to depart the West African nation urgently during jihadist petroleum restrictions Extended lines have been forming at gas stations France has issued an immediate warning for its people in the landlocked nation to depart as quickly as possible, as jihadist fighters continue their restriction of the state. The French foreign ministry advised citizens to exit using airline services while they are still accessible, and to avoid surface transportation. Fuel Crisis Escalates A recently imposed gasoline restriction on the West African country, implemented by an al-Qaeda-aligned faction has overturned daily life in the main city, Bamako, and other regions of the landlocked West African country - a former French colony. France's announcement came as the maritime company - the leading international shipping company - announcing it was suspending its activities in the country, citing the blockade and deteriorating security. Jihadist Activities The Islamist organization JNIM has caused the obstruction by attacking petroleum vehicles on primary roads. The country has no coast so each gasoline shipment are transported by highway from bordering nations such as Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire. Diplomatic Actions Last month, the American diplomatic mission in the capital announced that support diplomatic workers and their relatives would depart Mali during the situation. It said the gasoline shortages had impacted the energy distribution and had the "potential to disrupt" the "general safety conditions" in "unpredictable ways". Leadership Background Mali is presently governed by a military junta led by Gen Assimi Goïta, who initially took control in a military takeover in recent years. The junta had popular support when it gained authority, vowing to deal with the protracted safety emergency prompted by a separatist rebellion in the north by ethnic Tuaregs, which was later co-opted by radical groups. Global Involvement The United Nations stabilization force and French forces had been positioned in recent years to handle the increasing militant activity. The two have withdrawn since the military assumed control, and the armed forces administration has contracted Moscow-aligned fighters to tackle the safety concerns. However, the Islamist rebellion has endured and extensive regions of the northern and eastern zones of the state persist outside government control.