Title: The energy crisis in Mali: EDM users are running out of patience
Introduction :
In Mali, the energy situation has become unsustainable for EDM (Electrcité du Mali) users. Load shedding has been increasing and intensifying for several months, impacting not only households, but also artisans and industry. Faced with this energy crisis, the Malian population is expressing its anger and frustration, while the authorities recognize the problems linked to fuel diversion and are considering lasting solutions to remedy the situation.
More and more frequent and longer power outages:
In many cities across the country, such as Bamako, Mopti, Kayes or Ségou, power cuts have become a daily reality. Power interruptions are becoming longer and longer, affecting all categories of the population. The consequences of these load shedding are particularly worrying in certain sectors, such as health where air conditioning interruptions can endanger the lives of patients during surgical interventions or for children with burns.
Fuel trafficking singled out:
According to Mali’s Minister of Energy, Bintou Camara, one of the major causes of these incessant power cuts is the illicit diversion of fuel intended for thermal power plants by traffickers. These illegal practices hamper the supply of electricity and cause an energy shortage across the country. The minister denounced these acts of theft and called for an end to them in order to guarantee access to electricity for all Malian citizens.
The growing impatience of the population:
The Malian population, for its part, expresses its anger and frustration in the face of this energy crisis which has lasted for too long. Frequent and prolonged power cuts have a negative impact on the daily lives of residents, disrupting their professional, school and domestic activities. Some civil society activists are even calling for demonstrations to demand concrete and immediate measures to resolve this situation.
Sustainable solutions considered:
Faced with this energy crisis, the Malian authorities recognize the need to act quickly. In addition to the fight against fuel trafficking, wind and solar projects are being studied in partnership with Russia, in order to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on thermal power plants. These initiatives could help to sustainably resolve the energy crisis in Mali.
Conclusion :
The energy crisis in Mali has reached a critical point, with increasingly frequent and long-lasting power cuts affecting the daily life of the population. Fuel trafficking is singled out as one of the main causes of these power cuts.. Malian authorities are considering sustainable solutions, such as the development of wind and solar energy, to resolve this crisis and guarantee access to electricity for all. However, it is crucial to act quickly to calm the growing anger of EDM users and meet their essential energy needs.