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France has released an immediate advisory for its citizens in Mali to leave as quickly as possible, as jihadist fighters maintain their blockade of the nation.

The French foreign ministry advised citizens to depart using commercial flights while they continue operating, and to avoid overland travel.

Fuel Crisis Escalates

A two-month-old gasoline restriction on Mali, enforced by an al-Qaeda-affiliated group has overturned everyday activities in the main city, the urban center, and different parts of the landlocked Sahel region state - a one-time French territory.

France's declaration coincided with MSC - the leading international shipping company - revealing it was suspending its services in Mali, citing the restriction and declining stability.

Militant Operations

The Islamist organization JNIM has caused the obstruction by attacking fuel trucks on main routes.

The country has limited sea access so every petroleum delivery are brought in by surface transport from adjacent countries such as the neighboring country and Ivory Coast.

International Response

Last month, the US embassy in the capital declared that support diplomatic workers and their relatives would leave Mali amid the emergency.

It stated the gasoline shortages had influenced the power availability and had the "possibility of affecting" the "general safety conditions" in "unforeseen manners".

Political Context

Mali is currently ruled by a military leadership headed by the military leader, who originally assumed authority in a government overthrow in recent years.

The junta had civilian backing when it took power, vowing to deal with the protracted safety emergency caused by a autonomy movement in the northern region by Tuareg communities, which was then hijacked by radical groups.

Global Involvement

The UN peacekeeping mission and French forces had been positioned in 2013 to deal with the increasing militant activity.

Both have withdrawn since the military assumed control, and the armed forces administration has contracted Moscow-aligned fighters to combat the instability.

However, the Islamist rebellion has continued and extensive regions of the northern and eastern territories of the nation persist outside government control.