U.S. Citizen Services

Warden Message

Bamako, Mali - May 12, 2008

This Warden Message is being issued to update U.S. citizens in Mali on a series of attacks in different parts of Mali.  In addition to the May 6 attack on a military installation in Diabili, as well as a series of incidents between bandits and the Malian military in the north of Mali, on the night of May 11 – 12, a group of bandits attacked a Malian gendarme base in the town of Ansongo, south of Gao, in eastern Mali.  Gunfire was exchanged and the bandits fled.

While these actions appear directed exclusively toward government security personnel including military, gendarmerie, and national guard bases, in two instances, the bandits stole cars from civilians while making their escape.  The most recent attacks do not appear to be coordinated, but rather the work of unaffiliated groups reacting to targets of opportunity.

Given the apparently unpredictable nature of these attacks and the generally fluid nature of events in the Mauritanian and Nigerien border regions, the U.S. Embassy advises extreme caution to U.S. citizens traveling outside of urban regions in a line from Yelimane in the west to Anderamboukane in the east.  The U.S. mission has not currently restricted travel to those areas, but will continue to monitor the situation; Peace Corps may reevaluate the circumstances of some volunteers in those areas.  This caution is in addition to the U.S. mission’s long-standing concerns about travel to the extreme north of Mali. 

U.S. citizens planning to travel to these areas despite this caution should review the Country Specific Information for Mali, dated February 12, 2008, and focus particularly on security and logistical considerations regarding travel to the northern regions of Mali.  American citizens should also notify the consular section of their plans and may do so by e-mail at consularbamako@state.gov. 

American citizens may inquire about the latest security information with the embassy or consult the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found. 

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, 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).  Information specific to Mali is located at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_962.html

The U.S. Embassy in Bamako is located at ACI 2000, Rue 243, Porte 297, Bamako, Mali.  The Embassy’s telephone number is 270-2300.  The after-hours telephone number for the duty officer for emergency situations is (223) 675-2860.