A nationwide ban on motorbikes outside Mali’s major cities has come into force following deadly terror attacks that killed the country’s defence minister.
Authorities imposed the restriction “in the wake of terror attacks the killed the country’s defence minister,” according to reports from TRT Afrika. The measure targets rural and peri-urban areas where armed groups frequently use motorcycles to carry out hit-and-run attacks and evade security forces.
The ban is the government’s latest attempt to curb jihadist violence that has plagued Mali’s countryside for years. Motorbikes have become the preferred transport for insurgents linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates in the Sahel, allowing them to move quickly across unpaved roads and desert terrain.
Security officials say the restriction will apply to all areas “outside Mali’s major cities,” while exemptions may be granted for essential services, healthcare, and security operations. Enforcement is expected to be strict, with patrols and checkpoints set up on routes leading out of Bamako and other urban centers.
The move follows a spike in violence that claimed the life of Mali’s defence minister, underscoring the growing threat posed by armed groups. The government has framed the ban as a temporary but necessary security measure to disrupt militant mobility and protect civilians.
Human rights groups and rural residents have raised concerns about the impact on livelihoods, as motorcycles are widely used by farmers, traders, and health workers in areas with limited road infrastructure. Officials insist the ban will be reviewed once security conditions improve.
Source: TRT Afrika