Headline

Jihadist Blockades Disrupt Trade, Travel In Landlocked Mali

Published

1 month ago

September 11, 2025

Jihadists have set up roadblocks in the south and west of landlocked Mali near the borders with Senegal and Mauritania, where vital goods are imported daily.

Mali has battled a security crisis for over a decade, fuelled by violence by groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) as well as local criminal gangs, which is compounded by a severe economic downturn.

Since early September, jihadists have imposed intermittent roadblocks on major routes leading to the capital, disrupting the movement of goods and people near Bamako and in the west.

Several witnesses told AFP that traffic had been brought to a standstill and was stretching back more than 10 kilometres (six miles) on a main highway near Bamako because of a blockade.

Mali’s junta has sought to play down the impact.

“If enemy movements are sometimes observed, they do not last more than 20 to 30 minutes. Therefore, we cannot talk about a blockade,” said Colonel-Major Souleymane Dembele, head of the army’s Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIRPA), at a press conference on Monday.

Observers say the jihadists’ aim is to paralyse the economy, rather than to control territory.

They also want to show that the Malian army does not have the security situation under control, they say.

A private transport company, which has been targeted in attacks by the jihadists, has announced it is suspending its services “until further notice for security reasons”.

Several vehicles transporting fuel or consumer products coming from Senegal have also been targeted by the violence.

At least 10 buses have also been set on fire across the country by the jihadists, who first forced the passengers off the vehicles, according to an AFP count.

– ‘Restore order’ –

With no direct access to the sea, Mali imports most of the products it needs by road, such as hydrocarbons, fish, fruits and vegetables, from the port of Dakar, Mauritania or Ivory Coast.

Last weekend no tanker truck carrying fuel made the Dakar-to-Bamako trip for fear of reprisals from jihadists.

“We have decided to stop all our trucks for the time being. We are considering sending emissaries to the jihadists to discuss securing our activities,” an official from a Malian fuel company told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Jihadists also abducted six Senegalese drivers last weekend before later releasing them.

The Malian army, which initially played down the blockades, has announced it is deploying troops to “restore order” on highways in the west and south of the country.

“The situation is difficult. The army has sent reinforcements into the field, it’s true. But these reinforcements don’t stay long, while the jihadists remain on the ground,” an elected official in the western Kayes region told AFP.

“The army must change its mode of intervention,” the deputy added.

Junta chief General Assimi Goita on Tuesday chaired an extraordinary defence council meeting in Bamako.

No official statement was released afterwards, but a source close to the talks said the security situation had been discussed.

“Significant measures have been taken to ensure the safety of property and people,” the source said.

Mali has been ruled by a junta since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.

Since then, the military rulers of the West African nation have turned away from traditional Western partners, especially former colonial power France, and strengthened ties with Russia and China.

AFP

Headline

American Pilot Kidnapped In Niger Republic – Report

Published

5 minutes ago

October 22, 2025

Editor

An American missionary was kidnapped in Niger’s capital Niamey, three security sources said on Wednesday.

The missionary, who is a pilot for the evangelical missionary agency Serving in Mission, was seized by three unidentified men as he headed to the airport on Tuesday night in Niger’s Plateau neighbourhood, a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters.

The kidnappers then headed toward the western Tillaberi region of Niger, where Islamist militants linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda are active, the diplomat added.

Two other sources for the abduction had no details.

The U.S. State Department said it was aware of reports that a U.S. citizen was kidnapped in Niamey, Niger, and was working with local authorities. It did not elaborate.

Kidnappings appear to have intensified this year in areas of West Africa where militants operate, with an Austrian woman abducted in January and a Swiss citizen in April, both in Niger.

In addition, five Indian citizens working for a company providing services to Niger’s Kandadji dam project were kidnapped during an attack by armed men in April that also killed a dozen soldiers.

Reuters

Headline

UK Cuts Post-study Work Period For Foreign Students

Published

32 minutes ago

October 22, 2025

Editor

The United Kingdom on Tuesday cut the post-study work period from two years to 18 months for foreign students, including Nigerians, from January 2027.

This was disclosed by the UK’s Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, on October 14 while explaining the reasons for the need for immigrants to pass an A-level standard of English Language.

According to a statement posted on the UK Government’s website on Wednesday, the time for international students to find a graduate-level job after completing their studies will be reduced to 18 months from the current two years.

The statement read, “Laid in changes before Parliament this week, the measures form part of the government’s flagship immigration white paper and Plan for Change to deliver on the priorities of working people for tighter control of who comes to this country while continuing to attract top global talent.

“The time for international students to find a graduate-level job after completing their studies will also be cut to 18 months from the current two years. The immigration skills charge (ISC), which is paid by employers sponsoring skilled foreign workers and reinvested in training the domestic workforce, is being raised by 32%.

“The ISC increase is the first since 2017 and will be used to boost investment in British workers and reduce reliance on overseas recruitment. The Parliamentary process to increase the charge will begin later this week. To ensure graduates contribute effectively to the economy, the maximum post-study stay will be reduced to 18 months from the current 2 years for most from 1 January 2027. It comes after data clearly showed that many holders had not transitioned into graduate-level employment as intended.”

Recently, the UK announced that an additional fee is expected to be passed on to overseas students, making studying in the UK more expensive than before.

The tuition fees for undergraduate degrees in the 2025/26 academic year have already risen by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535.

Additionally, stricter English language requirements are being introduced for international students entering the country for study, work, and settlement.

Data shows fewer foreign students opted for the UK as a study option in 2024.

UK immigration rules were modified in January 2024 to prevent students from bringing dependants, except for those studying postgraduate research courses or courses with government-funded scholarships.

Headline

UK Links Nigeria, Others To Poisonous Alcoholic Drinks

Published

12 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Editor

Nigeria and seven other countries have been added to a UK Foreign Office list warning of the risks of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or tainted alcoholic drinks.

Other affected countries that have warned of potential risks include Ecuador, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Uganda, and Kenya.

The countries are included in the updated travel guidance following incidents involving Britons in those countries.

The advice previously covered Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica and Fiji and followed a number of high-profile incidents, including the death of six tourists in Laos last year.

The UK foreign Office warned travellers to watch out for signs of methanol poisoning such as blurry vision and confusion, which could lead to serious illness and death.

Methanol is an industrial chemical found in antifreeze and windscreen washer fluid. It is not meant for human consumption and is highly toxic.

With instances of unscrupulous backyard brewers adding methanol to drinks to extend their reach, and some bars and street vendors mixing it with spirit-based drinks and cocktails to cut costs, the Foreign Office has said it is crucial to be cautious.

The Foreign Office advised British nationals going abroad to purchase sealed drinks from licensed establishments, avoid homemade alcohol and pre-mixed spirits, cocktails and drinks served in buckets or jugs.

Travellers are advised to watch out for warning signs of poisoning, which include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and confusion.