• Mali suspends all educational activities for two weeks amid a fuel crisis.
• The blockade imposed by jihadist militants has led to severe fuel shortages.
• Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane indicates classes will resume on November 10.
• The U.S. Embassy advised non-essential personnel to leave Mali due to security concerns.
• Mali is deepening ties with Russia, which promises to supply petroleum products amid the crisis.

Mali has suspended education nationwide for two weeks due to a fuel shortage caused by a blockade imposed by jihadist militants. Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane announced that all schools and universities would be closed from October 27 to November 9, with plans to reopen on November 10. The ongoing fuel crisis has rendered transportation for students and teachers nearly impossible, crippling daily activities across the country, particularly in the capital, Bamako, according to aa and africanews.

The blockade, declared by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has resulted in long queues at petrol stations and a significant increase in transportation costs. The military government has faced harsh criticism as it struggles to maintain control amid this crisis. "Authorities are doing everything possible to restore normal fuel supplies," said Savane in his announcement on state television, indicating the urgency of the situation as disruptions continue to paralyze normal life in Mali, according to bbc and aljazeera.

In response to the crisis, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako announced on October 24 that non-essential diplomatic staff and their families will depart due to increasing security concerns linked to the fuel shortage. The embassy noted disruptions could lead to broader chaos, impacting overall security in the area, as cited by aa and reuters.