Truck drivers in Mali have initiated a comprehensive strike along the Bamako/Senegal border route, organized by the National Union of Road Hauliers, following the deaths of their colleagues during an attack on a fuel convoy in late January. This tragic event saw at least 15 drivers killed, with some reports indicating as many as 18 fatalities, when militants affiliated with the al-Qaeda-linked group, JNIM, ambushed the convoy in western Mali. The attackers not only targeted the fuel-laden trucks but also executed the drivers in a shocking manner that marks a new level of violence in the ongoing conflict in the region.

The union has stated that the bodies of the victims have not been recovered yet, prompting them to suspend all transport activities on the key routes connecting Bamako, Kayes, and Diboli until a resolution is achieved regarding the retrieval of the remains. Union spokesperson Abou Bakr Koulibaly expressed deep dissatisfaction during a general meeting of drivers, underlining their demands for accountability and the need for better protection measures against such attacks. This strike highlights the ongoing insecurity in the region and underscores the risks faced by transport workers amidst the escalating violence.

The killing of the truck drivers in such a systematic and brutal fashion points to a worrying shift in tactics among militant groups in Mali, who have previously not specifically targeted transport workers in their operations. As the strike unfolds, it raises questions about the government's response to these violent incidents and the security measures in place to protect those working in one of the region's vital economic sectors, potentially affecting the already fragile supply chains and livelihoods dependent on road transport in Mali.