Mali
Muslim communities in Bamako, Mali, found themselves encircled by a jihadist blockade, forcing many to spend Eid al-Adha, locally known as Tabaski, separated from their families this year.
Alpha Amadou, a 40-year-old originally from Mopti in central Mali, had to forgo his annual journey home for the significant holiday.
“For the first time in my thirty years living in Bamako, I will be celebrating Eid here this year,” he shared.
Since late April, fighters affiliated with Al-Qaeda’s Sahel branch have established roadblocks on key routes leading into Bamako, resulting in the incineration of dozens of buses and cargo trucks.
While the blockade is not absolute, the sight of charred vehicles has deterred many transport services from operating and prevented travelers from returning to their home villages.
In Mali, the observance of Eid al-Adha extends far beyond its religious significance. It is a vital social tradition, representing one of the few opportunities for families, often dispersed for work throughout the year, to reunite.
However, the usual vibrant activity at Bamako’s bus stations, typically bustling before the holidays, has been replaced by an unsettling quiet. Beyond the pervasive insecurity, fuel shortages have also crippled the transport sector.
“Not only do we lack diesel to keep our vehicles running, but we have also lost buses in recent attacks. This represents a severe economic setback,” stated the anonymous owner of a local travel agency.
“Normally, we could transport over 50,000 people from Bamako to other regions in a single week for Eid al-Adha. This year, we haven’t scheduled any trips,” added a representative from another transport company.
For Wara Bagayoko, the tradition was always consistent: load the family car and drive to Ségou, in central Mali, for a collective celebration. This time, he will remain in Bamako, as even private vehicles are now targets.
“It will be the first time in thirty years that I won’t celebrate in my village. The road is simply too perilous,” he explained.
“Before, about twenty of us would travel together by motorbike to Sikasso (in the south) to celebrate,” Oumar Diarra recounted. “This year, we are staying in Bamako.”
A few minibuses still manage to navigate into the city by utilizing secondary roads or traveling under military escort.
Sheep scarcity impacts traditional sacrifice
The disruptions in transport are also hindering the livestock trade, which is crucial for the traditional Eid al-Adha sacrifice.
Due to the blockade, herders and merchants face significant challenges in bringing their animals to Bamako, the nation’s primary consumer market.
The cost of transporting a single animal, typically ranging from 2,500 to 2,750 CFA francs (around $5), has surged dramatically this year, now reaching between 15,000 and 18,000 CFA francs (approximately $26 to $31), according to transporter Alassane Maiga.
Consequently, sheep have become scarce and considerably more expensive in a country where the minimum monthly wage is only 40,000 CFA francs.
“Many trucks carrying sheep have been set ablaze by jihadists… Usually, I would have over 1,000 animals, but today, I don’t have a single one,” lamented Hama Ba, a Bamako merchant.
“Sheep that we once bought for 75,000 francs are now selling for 300,000. Previously, there was an abundance of choice, but today, they have almost vanished from Bamako,” stated Iyi, who was searching for an affordable sheep.
Electricity outages worsen daily life
The escalating security crisis continues to infiltrate daily life, leading to a deterioration of basic services within the city.
Bamako is currently grappling with prolonged electricity outages and a severe shortage of potable water.