No way home for Eid as jihadists cut off Mali capital

The festive spirit of Eid al-Adha, known locally as Tabaski, has been overshadowed in Mali's capital, Bamako, by a crippling jihadist blockade. For many, the inability to travel home to their families in central or southern Mali marks a painful departure from decades-long traditions, forcing them to celebrate in isolation.

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For the first time in 30 years living in Bamako, I’ll be celebrating Eid here this year.

The main routes into Bamako have been choked by Al-Qaeda-affiliated militants since late April. Their tactic of torching buses and freight trucks has created a climate of fear, deterring not only commercial transport services but also private individuals from making the journey. This insecurity, compounded by fuel shortages, has turned the usual pre-holiday rush at bus stations into an unsettling quiet.

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Not only do we lack diesel to keep running, but we’ve also lost buses in recent incidents. It’s a huge economic blow.

Tabaski in Mali is more than a religious observance; it is a cornerstone of social tradition, a rare occasion for families scattered by work to reunite. The current situation shatters this custom, leaving many, like Alpha Amadou who has lived in Bamako for 30 years, to mark the holiday away from their ancestral homes. The economic fallout is also severe, with transport companies reporting massive losses and a complete halt to planned holiday trips.

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Normally, we could transport more than 50,000 people from Bamako to other regions in a week for Tabaski. This year, we’re not planning any trips.

Beyond the disruption to personal travel, the blockade is strangling the vital livestock trade. Herders and traders are struggling to bring the sacrificial sheep, essential for the Tabaski ritual, to Bamako's markets. The cost of transporting a single animal has skyrocketed, and the availability of sheep has plummeted. Vendors like Hama Ba report a drastic scarcity, with prices soaring to four times their usual rate, placing a significant burden on families in a country with a modest minimum wage. This situation highlights how the conflict directly impacts the cultural and economic fabric of Malian society, turning a joyous occasion into one of hardship and separation.

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It will be the first time in 30 years I won’t celebrate in my village. The road is too dangerous.