Mali is currently facing a critical electricity situation, with an increase in power cuts and an increasingly unstable electricity supply. This worrying situation affects not only households, but also artisans and industry, thus impacting many sectors of the Malian economy.
According to testimonies collected, power cuts have intensified in recent months, particularly in Bamako, Mopti, Kayes and Ségou. Residents, already accustomed to load shedding, then find themselves in increasingly problematic situations. Some members of civil society have even launched calls for demonstrations to demand an improvement in the electricity situation.
The consequences of these power cuts are serious, and can endanger people’s health. Hospitals in particular are affected, with power interruptions during surgical procedures, endangering the lives of patients. Burned children require regular air conditioning, which becomes impossible with repeated cuts.
Faced with this situation, the Minister of Energy, Bintou Camara, recognizes that everyone is affected, including herself. She points the finger at fuel trafficking which supplies thermal power plants, asserting that diesel tanks intended for electricity have been illicitly diverted by traffickers.
The Malian State is therefore called upon to take its responsibilities to resolve this energy crisis. According to some observers, this problematic situation is the result of many years of neglect towards EDM (Electrcité du Mali), which has become a source of financing for certain political parties. The urgency is therefore to put an end to fuel trafficking and save this company in difficulty.
To deal with the long-term energy crisis, the minister raises the possibility of developing wind and solar projects in partnership with Russia. These renewable energy sources could help improve the country’s electricity supply and reduce dependence on thermal power plants.
While waiting for these longer-term solutions, Malians continue to suffer from the consequences of power cuts. They call for better electricity management and investment to ensure stable and reliable supply across the country.
The energy crisis in Mali is a real challenge for the country’s development. Let us hope that concrete actions will be taken quickly to resolve this critical situation and put an end to the suffering of the populations.