Mali’s media regulator has suspended two French television channels, TF1 and LCI, citing reports it described as containing “unverified claims and falsehoods” related to a fuel blockade in the country. The High Authority for Communication (HAC) detailed the decision in a letter dated Nov. 13, which was publicly released on Nov. 15.
The directive, sent to media distributors, instructs them to remove the channels from their services “until further notice.” According to the HAC, the suspension is a response to a Nov. 9 broadcast by the two channels. The regulator disputed three specific claims made during the broadcast: that “the junta has banned the sale of fuel,” that the regions of Kayes and Nioro are “completely under blockade,” and that armed groups “are now close to bringing down the capital.”
A journalist from the news agency Agence France-Presse in Mali reported that the channels were not accessible as of the evening of Nov. 14.
The suspension occurs amid a blockade initiated in September by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an organization linked to al-Qaeda. The group has restricted access to major highways used by fuel tankers entering Mali from neighboring Senegal and Ivory Coast. This has led to widespread fuel shortages and long lines at gas stations in Bamako and other areas.
In response to the security situation, the embassies of France and the United States have recently issued advisories urging their respective citizens to depart from Mali.
Mali is one of several countries in the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso and Niger, currently governed by military leaders who came to power following coups. The three nations have formed a mutual defense pact, the Alliance of Sahel States. Concurrently, they have reduced military and political ties with Western countries, particularly France, while strengthening relations with Russia.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have released reports accusing various parties in the conflict—including state security forces, allied foreign forces, and armed groups—of committing abuses against civilians.
