Mali Suspends French TV Channels Over Alleged Misinformation on Fuel Blockade

Mali’s ruling military junta has suspended two major French television channels, TF1 and LCI, accusing them of broadcasting “false information” about the country’s worsening fuel crisis and security situation. The decision, announced by the High Authority for Communication (HAC), marks the latest escalation in tensions between Mali’s transitional government and French media outlets.

The Allegations

The suspension stems from a TF1/LCI news segment aired on November 9, which claimed that:

The Malian junta had banned the sale of fuel across the country.
The western towns of Kayes and Nioro were under siege by Islamist militants.
Terrorist groups were nearing the capital, Bamako, threatening to destabilize the government.

In a statement, the HAC denounced the report as “unfounded and alarmist,” asserting that it “undermines national morale and security” and “violates journalistic ethics.” The regulator emphasized that the claims were not corroborated by local sources or official data.

Fuel Shortages and Militant Blockades

While the junta denies the specific claims made by the French broadcasters, Mali is indeed grappling with a severe fuel shortage. Since September, the al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has reportedly imposed a blockade on key supply routes, particularly in the north and west of the country. This has led to:

Long queues at petrol stations in Bamako and other cities.
Rationing of fuel for public services and transportation.
Inflation in fuel prices is affecting food distribution and daily life.

The government has acknowledged the logistical challenges but insists that it is working to restore supply chains and ensure national stability.

Pattern of Media Suppression

This is not the first time Mali’s transitional authorities have clashed with French media. In 2022, the junta suspended France 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI) for similar accusations of misinformation. In 2023, TV5 Monde was also taken off the air.

These moves reflect a broader trend of media suppression and anti-French sentiment since the military took power in a 2020 coup, followed by a second in 2021. The junta has since expelled French troops, ended defense agreements with Paris, and deepened ties with Russia, including the deployment of Wagner Group mercenaries.

International Fallout

The suspension of TF1 and LCI comes amid growing international concern over Mali’s trajectory:

France and the U.S. have advised their citizens to leave Mali, citing deteriorating security.
Humanitarian organizations report increasing difficulty in delivering aid due to fuel shortages and road insecurity.
Regional instability is worsening, with similar military regimes in Niger and Burkina Faso facing parallel insurgencies.

What’s Next?

The junta has not specified how long the suspension will last, but warned that further “violations” by foreign media could result in permanent bans. Meanwhile, press freedom advocates have condemned the move as part of a broader crackdown on independent journalism in the Sahel.