The US Department of State warns US citizens of the risk of travel to Mali, and recommends against all travel to the north of the country due to threats of attacks and kidnappings of Westerners.
In addition, the National Movement for Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA) and other armed groups have attacked several locations in the north and engaged in battles with the Malian military.
The conflict has sparked civil disturbances and attacks against ethnic minority groups in Bamako and other cities in the south. US citizens are also advised that presidential and legislative elections scheduled to take place in April-July may result in increased civil disturbances. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Mali dated October 4, 2011, to update information on events in Northern Mali, and to inform US citizens of the upcoming presidential and legislative elections.
On January 17, National Movement for Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA) rebel forces attacked a National Guard installation in Menaka, near the Nigerien border in the eastern Gao Region. Conflict continues in the north of Mali between the MNLA, other armed groups, and the Malian military. MNLA has conducted attacks upon Anderamboukane and Menaka in Gao region, Léré in Timbuktu region, and Tessalit and Aguelhok in Kidal region. Private citizens have not been targeted, but the MNLA has indicated that it intends to conduct military operations across northern Mali.
Presidential elections are scheduled for April 29, 2012, and legislative elections on July 1. Increasing political tension may result in demonstrations during the elections period and the results announcement. US citizens are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations as they have the potential to turn violent.
As noted in the Department of State's Worldwide Caution dated January 24, 2012, al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) has declared its intention to attack Western targets throughout the Sahel (which includes Mali, Mauritania, and Niger). It has claimed responsibility for kidnappings, attempted kidnapping, and the murder of several Westerners throughout the region. The US Embassy in Bamako has issued several notification messages for US citizens regarding these threats, as have the US Embassies throughout the region.
On November 25, 2011, a German national was killed and a three other foreign nationals were kidnapped in the city of Timbuktu. On November 24, 2011, two French nationals were kidnapped in Hombori, in eastern Mali. AQIM claimed responsibility for the death and kidnappings.
On January 5, 2011, an individual claiming connections to AQIM attacked the French Embassy in Bamako with a handgun and an improvised-explosive device, injuring two persons. Four of these people are still being held hostage by AQIM. In July 2010, AQIM executed a French hostage in retaliation for the killing of six AQIM members during a Mauritanian-launched hostage rescue operation with French assistance in northern Mali.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5676
