Possible Youth March June 08 in ACI-2000 Area of Bamako

June 7, 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 possible march of unemployed Malian youth to protest unemployment beginning around 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 08, 2011.  The march is expected to start near the Agence pour la Promotion de l'Emploi des Jeunes, or APEJ, a government-run youth employment agency located near the Radisson Hotel in the ACI 2000 neighborhood. Their destination is reported to be the Ministry of Employment on the northern end of Bamako.   Traffic on major roads may be disrupted during this march.  The Embassy advises U.S. citizens to avoid the area during the morning and mid-day. 

As with any march, the Embassy urges everyone to avoid the area during the scheduled times.  Most marches are generally contained and non-violent but can get out of control quickly.  Should any demonstration grow violent, the police may move to disperse the marchers.    If you happen to be in an area in which a march is occurring, try to leave the area quickly.  If this is not possible try maintaining a low profile until such time as you are able to get out of the area. 

----------

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.