Mali Travel Risk

Do not travel to Mali for any reason. Due to safety risks, family members cannot join U.S. government employees who work in Mali.

Crime

Violent crime is common throughout Mali. Crimes include kidnapping, assault, armed robbery, home invasion, and carjacking.

• Violent crime is a major concern in Bamako especially during local holidays and seasonal events.
• Roadblocks, including by armed groups, occur throughout the country.
• In cities, police checkpoints are possible, especially at night.
• Highways across the country often face attacks on government, civilian, and commercial targets.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mali. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Terrorist and armed groups target foreigners to kidnap for ransom.

Terrorists may attack without warning:

• Spots frequented by foreigners anywhere in the country
• Night clubs
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Places of worship
• International diplomatic missions
• Local security forces and civilians

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

FCDO advises against all travel to Mali

FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Mali due to the unpredictable security conditions.

If you’re in Mali, you should leave immediately by commercial flight if you judge it safe to do so.

Do not try to leave Mali by overland routes to neighbouring countries as this is too dangerous. This is due to terrorist attacks along national highways.

Terrorist group Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) has implemented blockades on key routes throughout Southern and Western Mali, including the capital city of Bamako. These blockades are targeting fuel trucks and are enforcing checkpoints for individuals attempting to pass through them. Attacks can occur at any time.

There is a high threat of kidnapping and criminal activity across Mali, including in the capital, Bamako.

If you choose to remain in Mali, you do so at your own risk. You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government.

For more detail see Fuel shortages and Terrorism in Mali in the Safety and security page.

If you are a British national already in Mali, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Mali

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Mali.

Several terrorist groups operate in Mali, including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP). Whilst the regions most affected by terrorist activity are central and northern Mali, JNIM has increasingly conducted attacks in southern Mali and has the capability and intent to target the capital, Bamako.

The security situation in Mali has deteriorated amid an upsurge of terrorist attacks following the December 2023 withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission. Terrorists have increasingly attacked military bases and personnel, sometimes including foreign military personnel, as well as government and official buildings, including in Bamako. Such attacks often lead to the deaths of soldiers, civilians and others. Attempts to carry out similar attacks remain very likely.

Terrorist group Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) has implemented blockades on key routes throughout Southern and Western Mali, including the capital city of Bamako. These blockades are targeting fuel trucks and are enforcing checkpoints for individuals attempting to pass through them. Attacks can occur at any time.

Take particular care during elections and public holidays, and periods of national or religious significance. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities, including by complying with access restrictions imposed by authorities.

Attacks could be indiscriminate and occur at any time, including in places frequented by foreign nationals, such as:

• national infrastructure
• military sites and institutions
• government and official buildings
• international institutions
• transport hubs, including airports and major roads
• embassies
• international businesses, including mining companies and operations
• religious sites and places of worship
• sporting and cultural events
• shopping centres and crowded places
• hotels, restaurants and bars

See also road safety

Examples of recent significant attacks include:

• on 4 July, further coordinated attacks targetting military installations were carried out across multiple cities including Anefis, Aguelhoc, Gao, Sevare and Kenioroba
• on 25 April 2026, a series of coordinated attacks occurred in multiple locations including Kidal, Gao, Kati, Severe and in the vicinity of Bamako International Airport (leading to the airport’s temporary closure)
• since September 2025, there has been an increase in attacks targeting fuel convoys in Mali, particularly in southern and western Mali
• in June 2025, JNIM claimed to kill more than 150 soldiers, in multiple attacks targeting military bases in Boulkessi, Timbuktu and Mahou
• in March and May 2025, there were two separate attacks against a police station and a military base which damaged vehicles and infrastructure in Kati, approximately 15km from Bamako city centre
• in February 2025, a roadside bomb killed two people and injured others in a convoy that was travelling on the road linking Kati to Soribougou

This continues a historical trend of terrorists attacking military bases and personnel, sometimes including foreign military, often leading to the deaths of soldiers, civilians and others.

Terrorist kidnap

There is a very high threat of kidnapping by al-Qa’ida and Islamic State-aligned groups in Mali. JNIM and ISSP operate throughout Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. JNIM, in particular, has previously conducted kidnappings from all parts of Mali, including in urban areas and the capital, Bamako. In 2025, there was been an increase in kidnaps in Southern and Western Mali.

A number of foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Mali in recent years, by Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliated groups.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.

If you are working or travelling in Mali, be aware of the very high threat of terrorist kidnapping. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times, including when travelling and in crowded public places, including camps for displaced people, religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping areas and places frequented by westerners like hotels, bars, nightclubs, restaurants and transport hubs. You should avoid regular patterns of travel and aim to only travel during daylight hours.

The long-standing policy of the British government is to not make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.

Risk level

MALI - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

Avoid all travel to Mali due to the threat of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and fuel shortages. If the security situation in Mali deteriorates, the ability of the Embassy of Canada to Mali, in Bamako, to provide consular services may be limited.

You should leave the country by commercial flights if it is safe to do so.

Ongoing security situation

The security situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate further. On April 25, 2026, armed groups conducted attacks in several locations across Mali, including Kidal, Gao, Kati and near Bamako International Airport, which could temporarily close. Curfews may be declared in many areas throughout Mali, including in Bamako.

The entire country, including Bamako, remains vulnerable to terrorist attacks and the risk of kidnapping. Armed groups have established roadblocks on roads to/from Bamako to limit travel to the capital.

• Stay indoors during attacks and monitor local news to stay informed of the latest developments
• Leave the country by commercial flights if it's possible and safe to do so
• Avoid traveling by land outside Bamako and carefully plan all road travel
• Sign up or update your personal information with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important additional information, specific to your location, about the ongoing situation

Political Situation

Since the coup d'état of August 2020, Mali has been ruled by a military-led transitional government. In September 2023, the authorities announced a postponement of presidential and legislative elections. Since then, no election date has been set.

On December 31, 2023, MINUSMA, which supported the peace process and helped stabilize the security situation in the country, withdrew from Mali.

If you are in Mali:

• remain vigilant
• monitor local and international media to stay informed on the evolving situation
• follow the instructions of local authorities

马里现有红色（极高风险）地区16个，其他地区均为橙色（高风险）。具体如下：

一、红色地区：莫普提、通布图、加奥、基达尔、陶德尼、梅纳卡、顿察、邦贾加拉、卡伊、库利克罗、锡加索、塞古、尼奥罗、基塔、纳拉、布谷尼共16个大区。

二、橙色地区：巴马科特区、焦伊拉大区、库提亚拉大区、桑大区。

外交部提醒中国公民近期暂勿前往马里，已在当地的人员和机构请尽快撤离或转移至巴马科等相对安全区域，密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与使馆联系寻求协助。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。