'How are we going to get back home?' Islamist group tightens blockade on Mali capital

The blockade comes days after Mali's defence minister was assassinated in a series of nationwide attacks. Bamako siege: Islamists block entry to Mali's capital city Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Mali's army has been battling Islamist groups for more than a decade A motorcyclist rides past a monument in support of the Malian Army in Bamako on April 26, 2026. 'How are we going to get back home?' Islamist group tightens blockade on Mali capital Mali's capital city Bamako - a major West African hub and home to more than three million people - is under a partial blockade by Islamist militants, days after the country's defence minister was assassinated there. "Our army isn't capable of protecting us, how are we going to get back home?" a mother-of-two told the BBC, unable to re-enter Bamako after visiting her parents out of town. She and many others have been stranded on the Bamako-Kéniéba highway, a major road out of the capital for almost a day. It follows Wednesday's warning by fighters from the group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) that "no-one will be allowed in any more". Last year, the Islamist groups imposed a fuel blockade on the city, causing shortages and a sharp increase in prices but they have now ordered a total blockade, leaving residents worried. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that at least three of the six main routes into the city are now closed for hours at a time before the fighters move elsewhere. While they're gone, some vehicles manage to slowly get through. Last weekend saw nationwide, coordinated attacks by an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels in the north - the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) - seeking to overthrow the military regime of Gen Assimi Goïta, who seized power in a coup in 2020. During the attacks, Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near Bamako. He was buried on Thursday amid tight security in front of thousands of people, including Goïta, reports the AFP news agency. Mali's army has been working with the Russian paramilitary group, the Africa Corps, which emerged from the Wagner Group, against the insurgents. In the face of the attacks, the Russians were forced to withdraw from the northern city of Kidal, which is now under FLA control. The FLA now say they will march on other cities in the north and have demanded the withdrawal of the Africa Corps from the entire country. A Kremlin spokesperson on Thursday vowed that Russian forces would remain in Mali "to combat extremism, terrorism and other harmful phenomena and will continue to provide assistance to the current government". One lorry driver trying to reach Bamako told the BBC: "I've never seen something like this before. I've been doing this job for so many years. "I'm stuck here and it sounds dangerous. I would rather run away to save my life than fight for the goods I have to deliver. I've never thought like this before." A group of fighters in camouglage stand around a pick-up truck on a dusty road. One man in near silhouette - standing on the vehicle - is holding an automatic rifle up. On the left of the picture is the brown and yellow legs of a sculpture. What next for Mali's military leaders after shock of rebel offensive? Footage of an airstrike against rebel vehicles in Mali. It is imposed over the BBC Verify colours and branding. Russian paramilitary carried out air strikes in Mali as rebels advanced, footage shows ‎A total blockade has been imposed on Ségou, a town less than 80m (50 miles) from the capital, leaving hundreds of vehicles, trucks, buses and cars, stranded. Passengers, including families and traders, have been stuck there for days, struggling to access water and food, according to a reporter in the town. ‎According to state media, junta leader Goïta vowed tough action against the insurgents, following an emergency security council meeting on Wednesday. Goïta also claimed armed and security forces had managed to inflict "heavy losses" on the rebels. Map of Mali showing the different towns and cities that came under attack - Kidal, Gao, Sevare, Kati and Bamako ‎Alain Antil, director of the Sub-Saharan Africa Centre at French foreign affairs think-tank Ifri, told the BBC that "those moves show that the regime is weak and can't restore security. After a similar alliance of jihadists and ethnic Tuareg separatists advanced on Bamako in 2013, French forces, alongside those from other African countries, intervened to protect the capital. They succeeded in pushing the insurgents back but they continued to stage attacks and the country remained unstable. After seizing power, Goïta expelled the French and instead turned to Russia for support but the situation has not improved, culminating in last weekend's attacks. ‎Several countries - including France, Canada, and the United Kingdom - have urged their citizens to leave Mali, while the US recommends staying at home. "I won't leave," one Frenchwoman told the BBC, "I love Mali". "It has become a part of me since I came here in 2002. We'll stay with my family. We know things will be OK." Silhouettes of two people from Mali at M'berra refugee camp in Mauritania as the sun is low in the sky Russian mercenaries accused of cold-blooded killings in Mali - BBC speaks to eyewitnesses JNIM fighters train in an undisclosed location in West Africa's Sahel region. How an al-Qaeda offshoot became one of Africa's deadliest militant groups A man covered with a Russian flag waves his arms and shouts as supporters of Niger's military leaders gather to demonstrate outside the Niger and French airbases in Niamey on August 27, 2023 Three West African juntas have turned to Russia. Now the US wants to engage them A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica The UK has issued similar advice, telling citizens who stay, that they do so at their own risk. Last weekend's attacks came as the Africa Corps withdrew from a key base in northern Mali. The military came to power to bolster security but the weekend's attacks have brought that into question. The 28-year-old was arrested in February after a man had been shot at his home in Johannesburg. The first man to run a marathon in under two hours in a competitive race received a hero's welcome from supporters and family when he arrived home. BBC reports from Kenya, home to Sabastian Sawe, the first man to run a marathon in under two hours. Malagasy prosecuters used a Whatsapp group as evidence for the detained individuals alleged crimes. The mountain bongo is a rare antelope endemic to Kenyan highland forests, with less than 100 in the wild.