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France has delivered an pressing warning for its citizens in the landlocked nation to leave as rapidly as achievable, as militant groups persist their blockade of the nation.

The French foreign ministry counseled citizens to leave using aviation transport while they are still accessible, and to avoid surface transportation.

Petroleum Shortage Escalates

A two-month-old petroleum embargo on Mali, implemented by an al-Qaeda-aligned group has overturned everyday activities in the capital, the capital city, and additional areas of the enclosed African nation - a one-time French territory.

France's statement came as the maritime company - the world's biggest shipping company - announcing it was ceasing its operations in Mali, citing the blockade and worsening safety.

Insurgent Actions

The militant faction the Islamist alliance has produced the blockage by attacking petroleum vehicles on main routes.

The country has no coast so every petroleum delivery are transported by road from bordering nations such as Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire.

International Response

Recently, the US embassy in the capital declared that secondary embassy personnel and their families would leave Mali during the crisis.

It stated the fuel disruptions had influenced the power availability and had the "potential to disrupt" the "general safety conditions" in "uncertain fashions".

Leadership Background

The West African nation is currently ruled by a armed forces council led by Gen Assimi Goïta, who first seized power in a government overthrow in recent years.

The junta had popular support when it assumed control, promising to address the extended stability issues triggered by a independence uprising in the northern region by ethnic Tuaregs, which was later co-opted by jihadist fighters.

International Presence

The UN peacekeeping mission and French forces had been stationed in 2013 to handle the increasing militant activity.

Each have withdrawn since the junta took over, and the armed forces administration has contracted foreign security contractors to combat the safety concerns.

Nonetheless, the Islamist rebellion has persisted and large parts of the northern and eastern zones of the nation continue outside government control.