The prevailing security situation in Mali has negatively impacted the transport of goods transiting through the Port of Dakar to reach the country via the Dakar-Bamako corridors. Faced with this delicate situation, which affects not only Mali's supply chain but also the flow of goods through the Port of Dakar, the Malian government and the management of the Port of Dakar held a working meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. This important meeting was chaired by the Malian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Ms. Madina Sissoko Dembélé, and the Director General of the Port of Dakar, Mr. Waly Diouf Bodiang. Also present were the Chief of Staff of the Senegalese Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, the President of the Malian Shippers' Council (CMC), Mr. Bakissima Sylla, port stakeholders, and Malian and Senegalese transporters, among others.

More than 2,000 containers are stuck at the Port of Douala (PAD) due to security problems on the corridors.

The Autonomous Port of Dakar (PAD) hosted a Malian ministerial delegation led by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Ms. Madina Sissoko Dembélé, for a crucial meeting focused on streamlining trade and the transport of goods in Mali. During this meeting, centered on "Optimizing the Dakar-Bamako Corridor: New Measures for the Evacuation of Goods from the Port of Dakar to Mali," stakeholders raised 17 key points for discussion and exchange, including support measures for Senegalese drivers and a goods evacuation plan.

In this context, the Malian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure addressed the causes of these disruptions to her country's supply chain. According to her, more than 2,000 containers are stuck at the port of Dakar due to security problems along the two transport corridors. "We have been here since the day before yesterday, on a mission prompted by constraints and force majeure situations that Mali is facing," emphasized Ms. Madina Sissoko Dembélé, after thanking the Senegalese authorities for accepting this long-awaited Malian mission to Dakar.

She adds: “The numbers speak for themselves. Mali has practically over 60% of its freight transiting through the Autonomous Port of Dakar. And lately, we have been the victims of barbaric, savage, inhumane, senseless, and unlawful attacks by the forces (…). This has affected the flow of traffic on the Bamako-Dakar corridor via the North and the Dakar-Bamako corridor via the South. We have more than 2,000 containers stuck at the port of Dakar. Some have exceeded their free transit time, while others have just arrived. But if we are not careful, it is certain that the containers that are within their time limits risk suffering the same fate.”

"A case of force majeure that is causing disruptions to Mali's supply chain."

The Malian minister believes this meeting between the two parties is more than necessary. She argues that "it will allow all port stakeholders and all actors in Mali involved in the country's supply chain to discuss and exchange ideas so that solutions can be found to address these obstacles." It will also allow stakeholders to consider strategies that will enable them to avoid congestion at the port of Dakar.

According to the Malian authorities, "this situation is a case of force majeure which is causing disruptions to Mali's supply chain."

"We are going through an exceptional situation that requires an exceptional response."

The Director General of the Autonomous Port of Dakar, for his part, pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Mali and Senegal, particularly in the current context. "Senegal and Mali share a history spanning millennia. Rich cultural exchanges and economic interdependence are fully expressed through the Dakar-Bamako corridors. These vital trade routes allow significant volumes of goods to transit through our platform, both to and from Mali, the beating heart of the West African Economic and Monetary Union," emphasized Mr. Waly Diouf Bodiang.

According to the head of the Port Authority of Dakar (PAD), over the past five years, nearly 65% of Mali's total transit traffic has passed through our facilities. These volumes, he believes, reflect the confidence that Malian operators place in the Port of Dakar, as well as the strength of the ties that bind our two nations.

With that, Mr. Bodiang sought to reassure his long-standing partner. “Madam Minister, I want to state emphatically that our approach is that of a brother standing by his brother in difficult times. Today, more than ever, the Autonomous Port of Dakar wants to be and will remain by your side,” he stressed. Before launching a solemn appeal to all stakeholders.

“We are going through an exceptional situation that requires an exceptional response. It is our collective responsibility to provide rapid, concrete and sustainable solutions. The Autonomous Port of Dakar, for its part, is committed to coordinating and facilitating all initiatives aimed at resolving the challenges of the corridor, setting up a close monitoring mechanism with all stakeholders to guarantee measurable results, and accelerating the modernization of our procedures, particularly through the electronic port single window, to strengthen competitiveness and the fluidity of trade,” the Director General of the PAD stated.

Even better, he adds: “Madam Minister, the Autonomous Port of Dakar remains fully committed to supporting the development of Malian trade, facilitating the evacuation of goods and supporting all measures aimed at improving the fluidity of operations. We will work tirelessly to make the Dakar-Bamako corridor a model of regional integration and I would even say a model of bilateral integration, shared prosperity and active solidarity.”