Possible Protests on 20 May in Centreville and ACI-2000 Area of Bamako

19 May 2011

The U.S. Embassy is issuing this warden message to notify the U.S. citizen community that the Embassy has received information of a demonstration to show opposition to foreign military intervention in Libya beginning around 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011.  The demonstration is planned to start near the Independence Monument to possibly move toward the French Embassy, and later toward the U.S. Embassy.  We expect traffic on major roads to be disrupted during these demonstrations.  The possibility of counter-demonstrations supporting the intervention in Libya also exists. 

It is unknown at this time if the demonstration is authorized.   Should any demonstration grow violent, the police may move to disperse the protesters.  The Embassy has no reason to believe that this demonstration will be violent.  However, the Embassy advises U.S. citizens to avoid the area during the mid-day. 

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You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Bamako web site (http://mali.usembassy.gov).  You can also 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 Country Specific Information (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_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 1-202-501-4444.  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/ui/ ).  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 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 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.

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