The Malian government has announced the closure of all schools and universities across the country, a drastic measure forced by a severe fuel crisis caused by a jihadist blockade on imports into the capital.
In a formal announcement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education confirmed that classes will be suspended from Monday, October 27, 2025, through Sunday, November 9, 2025. The educational institutions are scheduled to reopen on Monday, November 10, 2025.
The decision was attributed directly to major disruptions in the national fuel supply, which have severely impacted the mobility of school staff and the basic functioning of educational institutions. The ministry spokesperson stated, “This decision is due to disruptions in the supply of fuel which have affected the movement of school staff.”
In an effort to mitigate the impact on students, the ministry confirmed that “arrangements are being made to adjust the school and university calendars.” The stated goal of these adjustments is to ensure educational continuity and the completion of the academic year’s study programs.
The root of the crisis lies in an intensifying blockade imposed by the jihadist group JM, which has targeted fuel shipments for the past two months. The militants have intensified attacks and established blocks on key supply routes, strangling the flow of essential resources.
The Malian military has attempted to counter this by escorting fuel convoys into the country. While these efforts have seen some trucks arrive safely, many others have been attacked and prevented from reaching their destination.
This fuel crisis is the latest challenge for the Malian state, which has been struggling to contain the threat of jihadist groups operating within its borders. The situation has been compounded by shifts in international military support, following the departure of French armed forces and what has been described as an unsuccessful turn to Russia for assistance.
The nationwide school closure underscores the profound impact the security situation is having on civilian life and fundamental services, placing the future of the country’s students on hold as the government grapples with the ongoing emergency.
