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France has issued an urgent advisory for its people in Mali to evacuate as quickly as possible, as militant groups maintain their embargo of the nation.

The France's diplomatic corps recommended citizens to exit using airline services while they continue operating, and to avoid surface transportation.

Fuel Crisis Worsens

A two-month-old petroleum embargo on Mali, enforced by an al-Qaeda-affiliated group has disrupted routine existence in the main city, Bamako, and other regions of the landlocked African nation - a one-time French territory.

France's statement coincided with MSC - the largest global shipping company - stating it was ceasing its operations in Mali, mentioning the restriction and deteriorating security.

Militant Operations

The militant faction Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin has caused the obstruction by attacking petroleum vehicles on major highways.

The country has restricted maritime borders so every petroleum delivery are delivered by road from bordering nations such as Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire.

Global Reaction

In recent weeks, the American diplomatic mission in Bamako declared that non-essential diplomatic staff and their households would depart Mali during the crisis.

It mentioned the gasoline shortages had impacted the power availability and had the "capacity to disturb" the "comprehensive stability environment" in "unforeseen manners".

Governance Situation

Mali is presently governed by a military junta headed by General Goïta, who first seized power in a government overthrow in the past decade.

The military council had public approval when it gained authority, promising to address the long-running security crisis triggered by a separatist rebellion in the northern region by nomadic populations, which was subsequently taken over by jihadist fighters.

Foreign Deployment

The UN peacekeeping mission and French forces had been positioned in 2013 to address the growing rebellion.

Both have left since the military assumed control, and the security leadership has hired foreign security contractors to address the instability.

However, the Islamist rebellion has endured and large parts of the northern and eastern territories of the state remain outside government control.