Mali moves to ration fuel as terrorist group cuts off supplies

Mali’s government has moved to impose fuel rationing to counter widespread shortages caused by terrorists operating in the border regions that have in recent months cut off fuel supplies to the landlocked African country.

In announcing the rationing on Thursday, officials did not say when it would start. The measure was cast as an effort to reduce long lines at gas stations.

Officials say the rationing system will ensure a more equitable fuel distribution among consumers.

The new measures will include registering vehicle plates and wait periods for cars and vehicles to refuel. Cars will be allowed to tank up every 72 hours and motorcycles every 48 hours.

Russian troops with the Africa Corps have lately begun escorting tanker convoys distributing fuel across the country.

Since September, terrorists linked with Al-Qaeda have increasingly attacked fuel trucks — more than a hundred trucks have been burned in the violence, which has crippled fuel imports and distribution.

‘Complete control’

Mali’s fuel importers union said that over 2,000 tanker trucks have entered the country since the start of the year — significantly less than the up to 6,000 per month that came prior to the attacks.

Mali’s Trade and Industry Minister, Moussa Alassane Diallo, told a union of petroleum product importers on Thursday that the rationing will “give us complete control” over gas stations, and allow authorities to “monitor the quantities of fuel sold.”

"We are committed to ending the fuel crisis as long as the military continues to escort our tanker trucks”, said Ibrahim Touré, head of the petroleum importers union.

Some residents — especially taxi drivers — expressed concerns that the fuel limits would impact their daily lives.

“These measures may work for private cars, but for us taxi drivers, it’s going to be difficult because we don’t earn enough money to fill up our taxis every time we go," said Oumar Coulibaly, a taxi driver in the capital, Bamako.