U.S. Citizen Services

Warden Message

Bamako, Mali - January 9, 2008

This Warden Message is to inform American Citizens of recent events in Mali and Mauritania that reinforce long-standing security concerns regarding travel in northern Mali. 

On January 3, four Italians were robbed at gunpoint near Araouane, 90 miles north of Timbuktu by assailants whose affiliation is unknown.  This followed an incident on December 24,  in Mauritania, when bandits, possibly connected to Al Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), robbed and killed four French tourists outside of Aleg, Mauritania.  This recent activity and the porous nature of Mali’s northern borders underscore long-standing concern about security for travel in northern Mali.  The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Northern Mali.

Americans planning travel to the northern regions of Mali despite these recent incidents are urged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.  The Embassy is located at ACI 2000 at Rue 243, Porte 297.   The Embassy's mailing address is B.P. 34, Bamako, Mali.  The telephone number is (223) 270-2300.  The consular fax number is (223) 270-2340.  The Embassy webpage is http://mali.usembassy.gov.

Updated information on travel and security in Mali may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Mali and the Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.