Mali: Jihadist prisoner release secures fuel convoy truce

As tensions in Mali continue to rise, over 100 suspected jihadists have been released under a deal to halt attacks on fuel tanker convoys, according to Africa News and agencies on March 23rd.

On March 22nd, a local official confirmed the release of “more than 100 jihadists” in exchange for “the opening of a corridor to allow convoys of tanker lorries to pass through.”

Members of the Fulani community, which faces persecution throughout the Sahel over alleged Islamist ties, were also released under the deal.

Since September 2025, Mali has been under a fuel blockade imposed by the al-Qaeda affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).

Militants exploited Mali’s landlocked status and reliance on fuel imports by blocking supply routes to major cities, such as Bamako.

Due to Mali’s dependency on fuel imports from neighbouring countries, such as Niger, the blockade was highly effective at bringing the nation to a standstill.

The purpose of the blockade is to destabilise the military junta government, which they hope will lead to the establishment of an Islamic State in Africa.

Jihadists have repeatedly ambushed fuel tanker convoys, killing drivers and soldiers escorting the convoys, before setting the tankers ablaze.

On January 29th, 15 people were killed when jihadist militants attacked a tanker convoy in the western Kayes region, on a road leading to the Senegalese border.

Despite these attacks on fuel convoys, it was reported on February 3rd that Mali’s fuel supply had been largely stabilised, although electricity supplies remained limited.

However, Mali’s internal strife is not limited to jihadist insurgencies, as the country is facing renewed tensions at the Mauritanian border.

In recent weeks, multiple people have been executed near the Mauritania-Mali border by Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) and Russian mercenaries.

On March 6th, seven people were killed by Malian and Russian forces as they travelled from Fassala to Mali.

Fassala has been the site of growing tensions in the border region, with Malian and Russian forces storming a village in April 2025 in pursuit of Tuareg separatists.

The release of Malian soldiers held hostage in Mauritania added to the tensions as Malian officers initially claimed the soldiers had escaped following a military operation.

Subsequent reports found the soldiers were released after ransom was paid to their jihadist captors.

Africa News and agencies, Maghrebi.org