The U.S. Embassy in Mali is issuing this security message to inform U.S. citizens of a heightened security risk to westerners in southern Mali, including Bamako City, in the wake of the attack on the Radisson Blu hotel on November 20, which killed 19 private citizens and injured several Malians and expatriates. There still exists the possibility of further terrorist activity in the capital.
- Therefore, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to:
- avoid restaurants, bars, clubs, churches, theaters, shopping centers, museums, and public organized events.
- reduce exposure to places frequented by westerners. If you must go to these venues, carry redundant forms of communication and advise someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- use the buddy system by partnering with someone when travelling in and around the city for practical reasons, such as to go food shopping or visit recreational facilities. We remind all U.S. citizens that movement during daylight hours is preferred and far safer than at night.
- ALWAYS: The Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to exercise caution, remain vigilant, maintain situational awareness at all times, vary routes and times, and take appropriate security precautions to ensure your own safety.
The Malian government announced a 10-day state of emergency after the attack and, as such, U.S. citizens may see increases in security presence in response to this incident. Malian security forces will likely show a heavy presence around Bamako over the next several weeks, including roadblocks and random police checkpoints, especially between sundown and sunup.
As stated the threat of terrorist activity in Bamako continues.
U.S. citizens should review their personal security plans, exercise caution, remain vigilant, maintain situational awareness at all times, vary routes, and take appropriate security precautions to ensure their own safety. Remain aware of your surroundings, including at local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. This should be the standard operating procedure at all times. Ensure your personal communications devices are usable in a crisis, and fully employ any safety measures (locks, grills, alarms, etc.) at your residence.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Country Specific Information for Mali.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Mali, located at ACI 2000, Rue 243 Porte 297. The Consular Section can be contacted at +223 2070 2505, or via email at consularbamako@state.gov. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, please contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Marine Guard at +223 2070 2301 or 2070 2302.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
