Sub Saharan Africa
Mali
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Still current at: 04 October 2009
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Updated: 31 July 2009
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and Local Travel section (extension of travel restrictions). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Travel advice for this country
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Travel Summary
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We advise against all travel to the provinces of Mali north of the River Niger from Mopti. This includes the province of Kidal and parts of the provinces of Timbuktu (north of the River Niger), Gao (east of the River Niger), Koulikoro (north of Mourdiah), Ségou (north of Niono), and areas bordering Mauritania east of Nioro in the Kayes province. We advise against all road travel between Mopti and Gao. We advise against all but essential travel to the southern part of Timbuktu province (south of Timbuktu), west of the town of Gao in Gao province (including the city itself) and the north of Moptio province (north of the town of Douentza. There is no restriction on travel to the city of Timbuktu. However, we advise that you fly to the cities of Gao and Timbuktu.
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The British Ambassador to Mali is resident in Dakar, Senegal. However, there is a British Embassy Liaison Office in Bamako, offering consular advice and assistance. See the General section of this advice for more details.
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There is a high threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign and travellers.
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There is a high threat of kidnapping in Mali by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M). We have strong reason to believe that a British national who was recently kidnapped in January has been executed. Travel in Mali can be difficult and conditions are poor for overland travel. You should take all necessary steps to protect your safety, especially outside of main urban areas, and you should have confidence in your individual security arrangements and maintain a high level of vigilance. See the Terrorism and Local Travel sections of this advice.
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should also ensure that you seek medical advice prior to travelling and that you have had all necessary vaccinations. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of the advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
There is a high threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is a high risk of kidnap in Mali by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M). We have strong reason to believe that a British national who was recently in January kidnapped has been executed. You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.
There have been reports of kidnap threats against Westerners attending festivals in Mali. A group of European tourists were kidnapped in the area of the Mali-Niger border on 22 January 2009 while visiting a cultural festival near Anderamboukane in eastern Mali. You should be aware that the "Festival in the Desert" and "Sahara Nights" festival which take place in Essakane (65 kilometres north of Timbuktu) and Essouk (500 kilometres north east of Timbuktu) are in areas of Mali to which we currently advise against all travel.For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Political Situation
Mali Country Profile
Malian security forces continue to be active against rebel groups operating in northern and north eastern Mali. Outbreaks of fighting between the army and the rebel groups and attacks by rebel groups usually, though not exclusively, occur in the region of Kidal and have resulted in a number of people being killed or kidnapped.
Crime
There have been incidents of armed banditry, car-jacking, and kidnap in northern Mali.
Bandits and smugglers are particularly active across the Mali-Algeria, Mali-Guinea and Mali-Niger borders and constitute a real risk to travellers, especially after dark. The presence of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M) in the northern region also presents potential risks for travellers.
Crime rates in the rest of Mali are generally not high but you should take sensible precautions. Do not carry valuables in public.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.Local Travel
We advise against all travel to the provinces of Mali north of the River Niger from Mopti. This includes the province of Kidal and parts of the provinces of Timbuktu (north of the River Niger), Gao (east of the River Niger), Koulikoro (north of Mourdiah), Ségou (north of Niono), and areas bordering Mauritania east of Nioro in the Kayes province. We advise against all road travel between Mopti and Gao. We advise against all but essential travel to the southern part of Timbuktu province (south of Timbuktu), west of the town of Gao in Gao province (including the city itself) and the north of Moptio province (north of the town of Douentza. There is no restriction on travel to the city of Timbuktu. We advise that you fly to the cities of Gao and Timbuktu.
Landmines are being used by groups operating in North and North East Mali.
If you plan to travel to any of the areas of Mali where we advise against travel, you are advised to fly. If travelling overland, it is essential to plan your journey in advance and inform local authorities (police and/or army) before leaving Bamako. A reputable local driver/guide is also recommended. In all cases, travelling after dark should be avoided.
Road conditions off the main roads are often poor, especially in the rainy season (June-September). Driving standards can be poor. You should take particular care and attention when driving in Bamako.
In June 2008, 12 people were killed in one week in accidents on the Bamako-Dakar road (via Kayes). Between 23 September and 8 October 2006, approximately 50 people died in road accidents on RN7 (Bamako-Segou-Mopti road).
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Air Travel
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
British citizens require a visa to enter Mali, obtainable from a Malian Embassy or Consulate. There are Malian Embassies in some neighbouring countries, which issue visas.
You must also have a valid international vaccination card with a valid yellow fever immunisation.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Mali Embassy in Brussels.
Health
Cholera, malaria and other tropical diseases are common to Mali. Outbreaks of meningitis also occur, usually from the end of February to mid-April. Since mid-March 2007, Malian health services have recorded nearly 400 cases of meningitis with 26 deaths, with the majority of cases occurring in the Sikasso, Koutiala and Bamako regions.
You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Mali you should seek immediate medical attention.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 93,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mali were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.5% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Mali and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
General
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. This should include cover for medical treatment and evacuation, accidents, cancelled flights and stolen cash, credit cards, passport and luggage. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Consular assistance
The British Embassy Liaison Office (BELO) in Bamako offers consular advice and assistance. For passport services, applications should be made to the British Embassy in Dakar. Forms are available from the BELO, which is located in the Canadian Embassy compound.
Registration
British nationals residing in Mali should register at the BELO, as should anyone intending to travel up-country.
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Major banks and hotels accept credit cards and travellers cheques.
Travel advice for this country
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contacts
Mali, Bamako, British Embassy Liaison Office
Address:
Bureau De Liaison de l'Ambassade de Grande Bretagne
Enceinte de l'Ambassade du Canada
Route de Koulikoro
Hippodrome
BP 2069
Bamako
MALI
Telephone:
Telephone: 00 223 2021 3412
Mobile: 00 223 6674 8208
Consular emergency: 00 223 7640 0808
Fax:
00 223 2021 8377
Email: belo@ikaso.net
Office hours:
