WASHINGTON / BAMAKO — The U.S. Embassy in Bamako has issued an urgent alert advising American citizens in Mali to depart immediately using commercial flights, citing an increasingly unpredictable security situation and rising risks linked to fuel shortages and militant activity.
In its statement, the embassy noted that “persistent infrastructure challenges … including continued disruptions of gasoline and diesel supplies, the closure of public institutions such as schools and universities nationwide, and ongoing armed conflict between Malian government and terrorist elements around Bamako” have significantly increased security volatility. It emphasized that over-land travel “to neighbouring countries may not be safe for travel due to terrorist attacks along national highways,” making air departure the only recommended option.
The advisory comes amid a blockade on fuel tankers imposed by the al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al‑Islam wal‑Muslimin (JNIM) since early September. The militant group has targeted tanker convoys delivering fuel to Bamako, setting fire to more than 100 trucks and aggravating the crisis across the land-locked West African country.
Malian authorities this week suspended nationwide classes in schools and universities for two weeks due to the fuel shortage, further underscoring the depth of disruption.
The embassy cautions that its ability to provide consular or emergency support to U.S. citizens outside the capital is extremely limited. For those who choose to remain in Mali, it recommends preparing contingency plans for extended shelter-in-place scenarios, keeping travel documents on hand, and maintaining emergency communications.
The U.S. State Department maintains the country at Travel Advisory Level 4 – “Do Not Travel”, and last week authorised the departure of non-essential U.S. government personnel and their families from Mali, citing safety risks.
