France has urged its citizens to leave Mali “as soon as possible” following a weekend of coordinated attacks by separatist fighters and Islamist militants. In an update on Wednesday, the advisory also warned French citizens against travel to the West African nation, describing the situation as “extremely volatile.”
Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported across the country, including the capital, Bamako, on Saturday. In Kati, defense leader Sadio Camara was reportedly killed in an apparent suicide bombing by militants, while in the north, separatist forces have taken control of the city of Kidal. Mali’s military leader, General Assimi Goïta, stated that the security situation in the country was under control, asserting that the army had dealt a “violent blow” to the attackers.
French and UK Travel Advisories
The French Foreign Ministry, representing Mali’s former colonial power, advised: “French nationals are recommended to make arrangements to leave Mali temporarily as soon as possible on available commercial flights.” Pending their departure, they should remain at home, limit their movements, and follow instructions from local authorities, the ministry added, also urging them to keep their relatives informed. “Travel to Mali remains strongly discouraged, regardless of the reason.”
The United Kingdom has also advised against travel to Mali and urged its citizens to leave. The UK Foreign Office advised “against all travel to Mali due to the unpredictable security conditions.” The travel guidelines, in place since the weekend, instructed British citizens in Mali to “leave immediately by commercial flight if you judge it safe to do so.” It also warned against land travel to neighboring countries, deeming it “too dangerous” due to reported “terrorist attacks along national highways.” “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,” the Foreign Office added.
Recent Attacks and Security Situation
On Saturday, fighting was reported in Bamako, Kati (home to a major military base outside the capital), as well as in Gao and Kidal in the north, and the central cities of Sevare and Mopti. Clashes reportedly continued into Sunday in Kidal and Kati. Reports suggest that the assault by the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), which seeks a breakaway ethnic Tuareg state, was primarily focused on northern cities, while the jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) staged simultaneous attacks on multiple locations across the country.
Mali’s Political and Security Context
Mali is currently ruled by a military junta led by Goïta, who first seized power in a 2020 coup, promising to restore security and push back armed groups. The junta initially garnered popular support, pledging to address the long-running security crisis stemming from the Tuareg rebellion in the north, which was subsequently exploited by Islamist militants. UN peacekeepers and French forces, initially deployed to counter the escalating insurgency, departed after the junta assumed power. The military government subsequently hired Russian mercenaries to assist in tackling the insecurity. However, the jihadist insurgency has persisted, with large parts of the north and east of the country remaining outside government control.
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