Warden Messages: Danger to U.S. Citizens in Gao, Kidal, and Timbuktou region

December 2, 2009 | U.S. Embassy Bamako

The U.S. Embassy in Bamako is issuing this Warden Message to urge all U.S. citizens in the very strongest terms not to travel to the regions of Gao, Kidal, and Timbuktou and, if already present, to leave these areas immediately.

As discussed in the recent Warden Message, as well as in the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Warning for Mali dated November 19, 2009, the kidnapping threat to U.S. citizens and other Westerners has reached a critical level in these three regions of Mali.  The veracity of this threat is demonstrated once again by the November 25/26 kidnapping of a French national in Menaka who was a long-term resident and well-integrated into the local community.

To help U.S. citizens better understand the nature and seriousness of these threats, we once again remind U.S. citizens that the Consular Section is hosting a town hall meeting at 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 4, at the American Club of Bamako.  In addition to security issues, Embassy officers will also address 2009-H1N1 influenza and other consular developments. 

Registration for the meeting is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to adult U.S. citizens.  Security personnel will admit only those on the registration list; each person will be required to present a U.S. passport (or other government-issued photo ID) at the security gate.   If you wish to attend, please send your name and telephone number to consularbamako@state.gov no later than the close of business Thursday, December 3, 2009.  

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The State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services publishes the latest travel information on the Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov.  That office can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the United States and Canada, or by calling 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Mali are encouraged to register with the Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website so they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Mali.  Citizens without Internet access may register directly with the Embassy.  By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy in Bamako is located at ACI 2000, Rue 243 Porte 297.  The Consular Section can be contacted at +223 20 70 25 05, or via email. 

Additional local information, as well as recent warden messages, is available on the Embassy’s website.  For after-hours emergencies, please contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Marine Guard on Post One at (+223) 20 70 23 01 or 20 70 23 02. 

04//10
The Consular Section
US Embassy Bamako
Bamako, Mali
+223 20 70 25 05
consularbamako@state.gov
http://mali.usembassy.gov  
http://travel.state.gov