Bamako: A string of coups and the expulsion of former colonial power France in favor of Russian support have not deterred insurgents from gaining strength throughout the so-called coup belt from Burkina Faso to Niger. The blockade on Bamako has made it perilous for fuel delivery trucks to reach the capital of landlocked Mali, raising concerns about what it would take to repel the JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin).

According to France24.com, Mali has faced a similar scenario before. The French intervened back in 2013 when insurgents attempted to take the capital for the first time. However, the hero’s welcome in Timbuktu for then-president François Hollande is now a distant memory. The current situation raises questions about how Malians can reclaim their country from the insurgents.

The issue also extends to considering alternatives to what the jihadists are offering. The potential spillover effect of failed states at the heart of the Sahel poses significant concerns for the region and beyond, including Europe. As the situation develops, the international community is closely monitoring the unfolding events and their broader implications.