82 fuel tankers from Niger have arrived in Mali to ease severe shortages caused by insurgent blockades. The convoy took 21 days to cover the 1,400 km journey from Niamey to Bamako due to insecurity. Russia’s Africa Corps reportedly gave escort to the tanker convoys to prevent hijacking. For over two months, al Qaeda-linked militants have blocked fuel routes and attacked convoys, paralyzing the capital and pressuring the military junta. Russia has pledged up to 200,000 tonnes of fuel and agricultural supplies. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—now in the Alliance of Sahel States—are fighting persistent jihadist insurgencies and have cut ties with France, left ECOWAS, and turned to Russia for support. #DWAfrica
82 fuel tankers from Niger have arrived in Mali to ease severe shortages caused by insurgent blockades. The convoy took 21 days to cover the 1,400 km journey from Niamey to Bamako
