Like other Sahel countries, Mali is plagued by repeated attacks on vehicles and civilians in rural areas, mainly by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists on motorcycles.
To try to curb the problem, all motorcycles with engine capacity over 125 cubic centimeters have been banned outside the larger cities. In addition, 35 military zones have been established where civilians are not allowed to enter. These are mainly forest areas where jihadists are often suspected of hiding from the military.
The motorcycle ban was announced on national television on Wednesday. Exactly how it will be implemented in vast, sparsely populated areas is unclear, as motorcycles are the main means of transportation in rural areas.
