Residents of Bamako are facing an unusually difficult Eid celebration this year as a jihadist blockade and worsening insecurity continue to isolate the Malian capital from several parts of the country.
For many Muslims in the city, the annual journey home for Tabaski — the local name for Eid al-Adha — has become impossible.
Alpha Amadou, a 40-year-old resident originally from Mopti, said he would be spending the holiday in Bamako for the first time in three decades.
According to him, insecurity on major roads has forced many families to abandon long-standing Eid travel traditions.
Since late April, fighters linked to Al-Qaeda’s Sahel branch have imposed a partial blockade on key routes leading into Bamako, reportedly torching dozens of buses and freight trucks along major highways.
Although some roads remain accessible, images of burned vehicles and repeated attacks have discouraged transport operators and travellers from moving between regions.
In Mali, Tabaski is not only a religious celebration but also one of the most important family gatherings of the year, bringing together relatives who often live apart for extended periods.
However, the usual festive atmosphere at Bamako’s bus terminals has been replaced by silence and uncertainty.
Transport operators say insecurity and fuel shortages have severely affected operations.
One travel agency owner said the sector had suffered major economic losses due to destroyed vehicles and limited access to diesel supplies.
Another transport manager revealed that companies which typically move more than 50,000 passengers during the Eid season are now suspending trips entirely.
For many residents, even travelling in private vehicles has become too risky.
Wara Bagayoko, who traditionally travels with his family to Segou every year for the celebration, said he would remain in Bamako this time because the roads are no longer safe.
Similarly, Oumar Diarra said he and his friends had abandoned their annual motorbike trip to Sikasso due to security concerns.
Despite the dangers, a few minibuses are still entering the capital through remote backroads or under military escort.
The transport disruption has also affected the livestock market, a critical part of Tabaski celebrations, during which families traditionally slaughter sheep.
Herders and traders are struggling to transport animals into Bamako, causing severe shortages and sharp increases in prices.
Transporters said the cost of moving livestock has risen significantly because of insecurity and damaged supply routes.
As a result, sheep prices have skyrocketed in a country where the monthly minimum wage stands at about 40,000 CFA francs.
Livestock vendor Hama Ba said many trucks carrying sheep had been burned by jihadists, leaving markets nearly empty ahead of the holiday.
Consumers say sheep that previously sold for around 75,000 CFA francs are now being offered for as much as 300,000 CFA francs, making them unaffordable for many households.
Beyond transportation and food shortages, residents are also grappling with prolonged electricity outages and severe water shortages across Bamako.
Frequent power cuts have disrupted tailoring businesses preparing traditional festive outfits known locally as “Selifini.”
Dressmaker Alou Diallo said attempts to rely on solar panels had failed to fully replace electricity needed for production.
Families are also worried about preserving food during the celebrations due to unreliable electricity supply.
Residents fear that expensive meat purchased for Tabaski could spoil within hours because of the persistent outages.
Although authorities recently announced the arrival of hundreds of fuel tankers into the capital to ease shortages, many residents say the damage to this year’s Eid celebrations has already been done.
