Mali

Mali is a developing country in western Africa which continues to experience political instability and insecurity following the coup d’etat in March 2012. Facilities for tourism are limited. The capital is Bamako. French is the official language with Bambara widely spoken. U.S. citizens are strongly cautioned against traveling to Mali’s three northern regions (Timbuktu, Gao, and Kidal) and in remote areas along the Mauritanian border due to the serious threat of terrorist activity and continuing political and civil unrest. There is ongoing conflict due to rebellion and terrorist occupation of the north. Attacks still remain a threat throughout the country, including in Bamako. The ability of the U.S. embassy to provide consular services may be extremely limited in remote and rural areas.

Read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Mali for additional information on U.S. - Mali relations