Mali: Motorcycle ban highly inconsistent outside of cities
Jihadist groups like JNIM, which is behind Mali's ongoing fuel blockade, use motorcycles in their attacks, riding in large groups through rural areas.
Amid Mali’s fight against terrorism, concerns about inconsistencies in anti-terrorism legislation have been raised, according to RFI and agencies on June 12th.
The Ministry of Transport announced that, from June 15th, a “special operation” to register two- and three-wheeled vehicles without proper licence plates would occur.
On June 3rd, Malian authorities announced that motorcycles with an engine capacity over 125 cm3 were no longer permitted outside the Bamako district, citing terrorism concerns.
Jihadist groups like JNIM, which is behind Mali’s fuel blockade, use motorcycles in their attacks, riding in large groups through rural areas.
However, the ban has been unevenly enforced; a resident in the western Kayes region said, “motorcycles are circulating normally.”
A resident of Koutiala recounted how “farmers came in droves to a meeting with their high-powered motorcycles without being stopped by the security forces.” A resident of Siby echoed this sentiment.
Enforcement of the ban can depend on local situations; areas under JNIM control, like the central Bankass district, have reportedly reached agreements where Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) soldiers “no longer stray far from their bases,” allowing for motorcycles to circulate “normally.”
Similar agreements exist in the central Mopti and Bandiagara regions, where JNIM are particularly active.
Near the Mauritanian border, a Nampala region resident stated that people “continue to ride [motorcycles] in the bush, avoiding patrols.” This is despite JNIM being active in Nampala and FAMA being “wary of motorcycles.”
Mali’s fight against terrorism has intensified since April 25th, following coordinated attacks by JNIM and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).
FLA militants recaptured Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold, on April 25th; JNIM imposed a renewed blockade on Bamako on April 28th.
However, “security operations” by FAMA and Russian auxiliaries have meant that the blockade is not completely impenetrable, with food supplies remaining plentiful.
On June 5th, authorities announced the creation of closed-off “military zones” in around 40 forests across Mali that are suspected of harbouring jihadists.
The Wagadou forest, near the Mauritanian border, is one of the areas affected by the ministerial decree.
Bamako has repeatedly accused Mauritania of harbouring terrorists in the Wagadou forest, which Nouakchott has denied.
Maghrebi has contacted the Ministry of Transport for comment on the effectiveness of the motorcycle ban in countering terrorism, but has not received a response at the time of publication.
RFI and agencies, Maghrebi.org
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