Mali's jihadist fuel blockade: France advises citizens to leave urgently

The blockade, imposed by jihadists, has upended daily life in the landlocked nation.

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The French foreign ministry advised citizens to depart on commercial flights while they are still available, and to avoid overland travel.

A two-month-old fuel blockade on Mali, imposed by al-Qaeda-affiliated group has upended daily life in the capital, Bamako, and other regions of the landlocked West African country - a former French colony.

France's announcement came as MSC - the world's biggest shipping company - said it was halting its operations in Mali, citing the blockade and deteriorating security.

The jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has caused the obstruction by attacking tankers on major highways.