Mali suspends large-displacement motorcycle circulation for one year

Large-displacement motorcycles are now prohibited outside major urban centers for a renewable one-year term. According to the transitional government, the measure is intended to limit the movement of terrorist armed groups. Import, transit, sale, and distribution of these two-wheelers are also suspended across the entire country for the same period. The decision has been received with skepticism by some Malians, particularly in rural areas.

The ban on large-displacement motorcycles outside large cities was announced through an inter-ministerial order broadcast on national television at the start of the month. “The circulation of motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125 cc and higher outside major urban areas is suspended throughout the entire national territory.” The Bamako district, as well as regional, circle, and arrondissement capitals, are considered major urban areas.

Regional adaptation powers

However, regional governors have the authority to adapt or prohibit these motorcycles in circle capitals depending on local security conditions. A resident of the Bandiagara circle in central Mali, who preferred to remain anonymous, said it will be difficult to enforce the measure in his area. “Yes, it will be difficult because in the Dogon country, these motorcycles are suited to our environment. We live in mountainous areas with roads made of steep slopes and ramps. They are very useful. Whether it’s our FAMa (Malian armed forces), humanitarian actors, or us farmers, everyone uses them. Large-displacement motorcycles even replace ambulances in our area to transport the sick to health centers,” he stated.

Concerns

In the city of Mopti, also in central Mali, concern is visible on the faces of large-displacement motorcycle owners. They regularly travel to surrounding villages by motorcycle for activities related to agriculture, livestock, or fishing. A Mopti resident, while welcoming the suspension of 125 cc motorcycles beyond large cities for security reasons, worries about the consequences. “We go from village to village daily for our activities. But since the announcement of the suspension of large-displacement motorcycle circulation, most of us have parked our bikes. I used to deliver bread to residents of villages far from Mopti city,” he said.

Large-displacement motorcycles are used by armed groups as a means to easily move around the territory to carry out terrorist attacks. But they are also used by civilians going about their daily activities, relying on these robust two-wheelers to support their families due to a lack of alternative transportation. In late April 2026, a major coordinated attack on several cities was carried out by Jnim jihadists and their allies from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). This radical security measure highlights the severity of the crisis in Mali, but many analysts say it comes with a high social cost.