Emergency Message

U.S. Embassy Bamako, Mali
Emergency Message - Military Operation in Northern Mali June 27, 2011

The U.S. Embassy in Bamako is issuing this emergency message to advise U.S. citizens of an ongoing Malian/Mauritanian operation on the Malian side of its border with Mauritania.  News reports indicate that the operation has involved heavy weapons including attack helicopters.  U.S. government personnel under Chief of Mission authority have been directed to avoid travel north of Niono and, due to the inherently unpredictable nature of military operations, U.S. citizens are advised to avoid travel in this area and to exercise heightened vigilance throughout Mali.

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Bamako web site (http://mali.usembassy.gov/).  You can get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website (http://travel.state.gov/) where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Contry Specific Information (http://travel.state.gov/travel.cis_0a_tw/cis/cis_962.html).  If you don't have internet access, we have a call center for updates: 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except 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 - https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ul/ ).  If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.  It will also help your family and friends 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 U.S. Embassy in Bamako (http://mali.usembassy.gov/) is located at ACI 2000, Rue 243 Porte 297.  The Consular Section can be contacted at +223 270 2505, or via email at consularbamako@state.gov.  For after-hours emergencies, please contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Marine Guard at +223 2070 2301 or 2070 2302.