Indeed, the blockade imposed by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (Jnim) in Timbuktu in Mali is causing serious concern. For several days, the Jnim has prohibited the entry of trucks of goods from Algeria, Mauritania and certain regions of Mali. This measure aims to put pressure on the Malian state and strengthen the position of the jihadist group in the region.
The consequences of this blockade are already perceptible, with the impossibility for many trucks to deliver essential goods to the city of Timbuktu. Carriers remain blocked at borders or are forced to turn around. However, despite this situation, the local authorities are trying to reassure the population by saying that there is no shortage at the moment. Traders still have stocks and some goods still manage to be transported from the south.
The people of Timbuktu are showing resilience and are not giving in to panic. Nevertheless, fear is growing among a few dozen families who have chosen to leave the city for safety reasons. The complexity of the situation is accentuated by the existing tensions between the Malian army and the ex-rebels of the Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA), signatories of the 2015 peace agreement.
Faced with this worrying situation, the local military and administrative authorities have issued press releases and public statements to reassure the population. They affirm their mobilization and call on the inhabitants to stay in the city and to continue their activities normally.
It is essential to closely follow the development of this situation in Timbuktu, as it could have repercussions on the stability of the region and the daily life of the inhabitants. The Malian authorities must find solutions to overcome this blockade and guarantee the safety and well-being of the population