In Bamako, Mali: Muslim residents have canceled their traditional Tabaski travel plans as of May 22, 2026, due to a road blockade maintained by jihadist fighters.
An anonymous local travel agency owner confirmed the immediate halt of transport operations, citing recent vehicle destruction and fuel shortages. Okay News reports that fighters from Al-Qaeda‘s Sahel branch blockaded the main routes into the city starting in late April. “Not only do we lack diesel to keep running, but we’ve also lost buses in recent incidents. It’s a huge economic blow,” the owner said.
A manager at a separate transport company said they will not operate this season, canceling routes that normally move over 50,000 passengers. “Normally, we could transport more than 50,000 people from Bamako to other regions in a week for Tabaski. This year, we’re not planning any trips,” the manager said.
Private residents have abandoned road journeys to their home villages. Alpha Amadou, 40, canceled his trip to Mopti. “For the first time in 30 years living in Bamako, I’ll be celebrating Eid here this year,” Amadou said. Wara Bagayoko halted his family’s drive to Segou. “It will be the first time in 30 years I won’t celebrate in my village. The road is too dangerous,” Bagayoko said. Oumar Diarra confirmed his group will not ride to Sikasso. “Before, about 20 of us would travel together on motorbikes to Sikasso (in the south) to celebrate,” Diarra said. “This year, we’ll stay in Bamako.”
The blockade has restricted the transport of sheep required for the holiday, reducing supply and increasing prices above the 40,000 CFA francs monthly minimum wage. Transporter Alassane Maiga stated the normal freight cost for one animal is 2,500 to 2,750 CFA francs. Vendor Hama Ba said he currently has no inventory. “Many trucks of sheep have been burned by jihadists… Normally, I’d have more than 1,000 animals, but today, not a single one,” Ba said. A buyer named Iyi reported severe price inflation. “Sheep we used to buy for 75,000 francs are now going for 300,000. Before, there was plenty to choose from, but now they’ve almost vanished from Bamako,” Iyi said.
The city is experiencing prolonged power outages and drinking water shortages. Dressmaker Alou Diallo said the outages have delayed the production of festive outfits. “We tried using a small solar panel,” Diallo said. “But it can’t replace electricity.” A mother in Sirakoro said families cannot refrigerate meat. “How are we supposed to keep meat without electricity? Buying an expensive sheep only to lose it within 24 hours due to power cuts is a real fear,” she said. Authorities announced the arrival of hundreds of fuel tankers in the capital in recent days.
