Mali bans motorcycles

TT

Published 18.59

 

Soldiers in Mali guard a motorcycle used in an attack. Archive photo. Photo: Jerome Delay/AP/TT

Mali's military junta has taken a drastic step to try to prevent jihadist attacks in the countryside - the government has banned motorcycles outside the larger cities.

Like other countries in the Sahel region, Mali is plagued by repeated attacks on transport and civilians in the countryside by mainly al-Qaeda-linked jihadists on motorcycles.

To try to curb the problem, all motorcycles over 125 cubic centimeters have been banned outside the larger cities. In addition, 35 military zones are being established where civilians are not allowed to go. These are mainly forest areas where jihadists are often suspected of staying away from the military.

The motorcycle ban was announced on the country's television on Wednesday. Exactly how this will be implemented in vast, sparsely populated areas is unclear, as motorcycles are the main means of transportation in rural areas.