Travel advice for Mali

Australia advises avoiding all travel for Mali.

Avoid all travel to Mali because large-scale attacks by armed groups have occurred nationwide, including Bamako, and further combat or war-like clashes cannot be ruled out. The situation is highly unpredictable, and kidnapping risk is high throughout the country, including Bamako.

Avoid all travel to Mali and leave the country immediately if present. Do not attempt to leave by road: Bamako’s airport may close without warning, potentially stranding you indefinitely without Belgian assistance. Armed groups have attacked strategic sites, terrorist attacks occur nationwide, and a fuel crisis has disrupted transport, power and security; avoid public gatherings and exercise extra vigilance during national and religious holidays.

Avoid all travel to Mali because terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and fuel shortages make conditions unpredictable. Leave by commercial flight if safe, remain indoors during attacks and avoid land travel outside Bamako. Stay vigilant countrywide, and in Bamako avoid urban travel after dark. Northern Mali has armed clashes, while terrorism, kidnapping and criminal incidents affect border areas with Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Senegal, and clashes have occurred in Kayes and Sikasso.

Avoid travel to Mali and leave the country promptly because terrorist groups operate there and the risk of kidnapping is high. Do not cross land borders with Mauritania, Burkina Faso or Côte d'Ivoire. If travel to the capital is essential, be extremely vigilant and take enhanced security measures, because conditions outside the capital are much riskier and individual safety cannot be guaranteed. Strongly defer all non-essential travel, including tourism, amid increased anti-Western sentiment.

Germany advises avoiding all travel for Mali.

Avoid all travel to Mali and leave the country as soon as possible if already there. The whole country is a red zone amid worsening security, armed clashes, expanding control by JNIM, terrorism, kidnappings, ethnic violence, and attacks on supply routes and fuel provision. Risks are especially intense in Bamako, the northern region and the Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali border area, while fuel shortages may affect air travel.

Avoid all travel to Mali due to security concerns, including terrorist attacks, kidnapping and criminal activity. Irish citizens already in Mali should leave by air immediately if it is safe to do so, and should not attempt to leave overland because terrorist blockades affect key routes. The situation can escalate without warning, and kidnapping is most significant in northern Mali but can occur anywhere, including Bamako.

Japan advises against all travel to Mali and says those already there should leave immediately. The threat of attacks by Islamic extremists is expanding, with coordinated attacks near Bamako International Airport and at Malian military facilities in Bamako, Kati, Sevare, Gao and Kidal. Nationwide risks include terrorism, kidnapping, political and social instability, and fuel shortages that have disrupted transport and electricity supply.

Avoid all travel to Mali because armed attacks, including in Bamako, and further violence and kidnappings make conditions highly unpredictable. Terrorist attacks and kidnappings are a high risk nationwide, while violent crime is concentrated in border and desert areas; food and fuel supplies are disrupted, and security forces may conduct checks or arrests. If already there, leave safely if possible; otherwise remain within Bamako and follow local authorities’ instructions.

Avoid all travel to Mali because of changes in the security situation. Sweden also urges Swedish citizens currently in the country to leave.

Avoid all travel to Mali because terrorist attacks are very likely and the security situation has deteriorated. JNIM and Islamic State Sahel Province operate in the country, with the greatest recent activity in central and northern Mali and growing attacks in the south; JNIM has also targeted Bamako through blockades and attacks.

Avoid all travel to Mali because violent crime, terrorism, kidnapping, unrest and armed conflict are widespread, while civil aviation and health care also present risks. Terrorists may attack without warning, including in Bamako, and roadblocks and highway attacks occur nationwide. Medical services are limited, especially in rural areas, and U.S. government employees working in Mali may not travel outside Bamako.