Potential Kidnapping Threat in Northern Mali

3 March 2011

U.S. Embassy Bamako is issuing this warden message to advise U.S. citizens that elements of Al Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) are seeking to locate U.S. and/or other foreign targets for a possible kidnapping operation in Gao and potentially Mopti, Mali.  We have no further information regarding this particular threat.  AQIM has repeatedly voiced its interest in kidnapping Westerners throughout the Sahel Region. 

The Embassy also calls U.S. citizens attention to the Travel Warning for Mali revised by the U.S. Department of State on 2 March 2011 and recommends against all travel to the regions of Gao, Timbuktou, and Kidal.  U.S. citizens who are in Mopti, Mali, north east of Bamako, should maintain good personal security practices and remain aware of their surroundings at all times, including always locking their homes and cars, varying routes and time of travel, and avoiding drawing attention to themselves.  When going out, they should avoid being part of large, highly visible groups of Westerners, and should be particularly alert when frequenting locales associated with Westerners.

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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.