Mali fuel supply improves after army tasked with escorting tankers

The Malian capital of Bamako has seen a boost in fuel supplies in recent days after weeks of shortages due to a blockade imposed by terrorists on tanker convoys supplying the landlocked country.

Since September, terrorists from an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group have blocked fuel supplies to several cities, crippling the economy of the West African nation.

Access to electricity, however, remains limited compared to levels before the blockade, AFP journalists observed.

Most districts of Bamako have about six hours of power per day.

Traffic returns to normal

Meanwhile, the winding petrol station queues that became a common sight in the capital have dwindled over the past few days.

"The queue here stretched for at least two kilometres. But just now I only had to wait a few minutes to be served," a motorist who spoke to AFP on Friday said on condition of anonymity.

Traffic has almost returned to normal, although some petrol stations that closed at the start of the blockade have not yet reopened, AFP journalists reported.

"We hope the problem is solved once and for all," another Bamako resident said.

Army escort

Fuel tanker convoys have started returning to Bamako due to escorts provided by the army under aerial surveillance.

Some have arrived under army escort from Niger, Mali's ally.

A security source said supplies of fuel had improved both because of the extensive army operation and a dip in the terrorist group's attempts to maintain the blockade.