Emergency Message For U.S. Citizens Military Engagement in Northern Mali

January 18, 2012

On January 17, National Movement for Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA) forces attacked a National Guard installation in Menaka, near the Niger border in the eastern Gao Region.  On January 18, MNLA forces also attacked military installations in the towns of Tessalit and Aguelhok, which are located in Kidal Region near the Algerian border.  The MNLA also has indicated via its websites that it intends to attack Timbuktu and other cities in northern Mali. 

U.S. Embassy Bamako continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid travel to northern Mali. U.S. Citizens may review the most recent Travel Warning on Mali issued by the Department of State on October 4, 2011, warning U.S. citizens of the risk of traveling to Mali and potential threats of kidnapping to westerners in Mali.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain a heightened sense of security and to practice good personal security measures. 

Our previous Emergency Messages have noted that on November 25, a German national was killed and a Dutch, a South African, and a Swedish national were kidnapped in Timbuktu.  These incidents followed the November 24, kidnapping of two French nationals in Hombori, in eastern Mali.

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy in Bamako.

You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warning, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.  Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well or you can download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App for travel information at your fingertips.  If you don't have internet access, current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or for callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  

If you are going to live in or travel to Mali, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.  It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency.  You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date.  It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

The Embassy cannot prevent you from travelling to locations despite our Travel Warning.  For your personal safety and security and the peace of mind of your family and friends, it is useful for you to notify us in advance of your travel plans via STEP.
 
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 at consularbamako@state.gov. For after-hours emergencies, please contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Marine Guard at (+223) 20 70 23 01 or 20 70 23 02.