'How are we going to get back home?' Islamist group tightens blockade on Mali capital

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'How are we going to get back home? ' Islamist group tightens blockade on Mali capital 36 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Nicolas Négoce Africa via Getty Images Mali's army has been battling Islamist groups for more than a decade Mali's capital city Bamako - a major West African hub and home to more than three million people - is under a partial blockade by Islamist militants, days after the country's defence minister was assassinated there. "Our army isn't capable of protecting us, how are we going to get back home?

" a mother-of-two told the , unable to re-enter Bamako after visiting her parents out of town. She and many others have been stranded on the Bamako-Kéniéba highway, a major road out of the capital for almost a day. It follows Wednesday's warning by fighters from the group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) that "no-one will be allowed in any more".

The Details

Last year, the Islamist groups imposed a fuel blockade on the city, causing shortages and a sharp increase in prices but they have now ordered a total blockade, leaving residents worried. Eyewitnesses told the that at least three of the six main routes into the city are now closed for hours at a time before the fighters move elsewhere. While they're gone, some vehicles manage to slowly get through.

Last weekend saw nationwide, coordinated attacks by an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels in the north - the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) - seeking to overthrow the military regime of Gen Assimi Goïta, who seized power in a coup in 2020. Mali's army has been working with the Russian paramilitary group, the Africa Corps, which emerged from the Wagner Group, against the insurgents. In the face of the attacks, the Russians were forced to withdraw from the northern city of Kidal, which is now under FLA control.

The FLA now say they will march on other cities in the north and have demanded the withdrawal of the Africa Corps from the entire country. A Kremlin spokesperson on Thursday vowed that Russian forces would remain in Mali "to combat extremism, terrorism and other harmful phenomena and will continue to provide assistance to the current government". One lorry driver trying to reach Bamako told the : "I've never seen something like this before.

What Experts Say

I've been doing this job for so many years. "I'm stuck here and it sounds dangerous. I would rather run away to save my life than fight for the goods I have to deliver.

I've never thought like this before. " What next for Mali's military leaders after shock of rebel offensive? Russian paramilitary carried out air strikes in Mali as rebels advanced, footage shows ‎A total blockade has been imposed on Ségou, a town less than 80m (50 miles) from the capital, leaving hundreds of vehicles, trucks, buses and cars, stranded.

Passengers, including families and traders, have been stuck there for days, struggling to access water and food, according to a reporter in the town.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.