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The French Republic has delivered an immediate warning for its citizens in Mali to evacuate as quickly as possible, as militant groups continue their blockade of the country.

The France's diplomatic corps counseled nationals to depart using airline services while they remain available, and to avoid overland travel.

Petroleum Shortage Worsens

A recently imposed petroleum embargo on the West African country, implemented by an al-Qaeda-linked group has overturned routine existence in the main city, the capital city, and other regions of the enclosed African nation - a former French colony.

France's declaration occurred alongside the maritime company - the world's biggest transport corporation - revealing it was halting its operations in Mali, citing the restriction and declining stability.

Insurgent Actions

The Islamist organization the Islamist alliance has produced the blockage by assaulting fuel trucks on main routes.

The country has no coast so all fuel supplies are brought in by surface transport from neighboring states such as Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire.

Diplomatic Actions

Last month, the United States representation in the capital declared that non-essential diplomatic staff and their relatives would leave Mali throughout the situation.

It stated the fuel disruptions had impacted the supply of electricity and had the "capacity to disturb" the "general safety conditions" in "uncertain fashions".

Political Context

The West African nation is now led by a armed forces council led by the military leader, who originally assumed authority in a coup in recent years.

The military council had public approval when it assumed control, promising to address the long-running security crisis triggered by a independence uprising in the northern region by nomadic populations, which was then hijacked by jihadist fighters.

Foreign Deployment

The UN peacekeeping mission and French forces had been deployed in the past decade to handle the increasing militant activity.

Each have left since the military assumed control, and the armed forces administration has hired Russian mercenaries to tackle the instability.

Nevertheless, the militant uprising has endured and extensive regions of the northern and eastern territories of the country continue away from official jurisdiction.