Warden Message: Mali, Threat to Americans During Ramadan

OSAC.gov ^ | August 21, 2009 | n/a

[Cindy]

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YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report Warden Message: Mali, Threat to Americans During Ramadan CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS Sub-Saharan Africa - Mali 21 Aug 2009

U.S. Embassy Bamako issued the following Warden Message on August 21:

Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) may use Ramadan as an opportunity to conduct further attacks against Americans. Accordingly, American citizens and their families traveling to or residing in Mali should maintain a sense of heightened awareness. American citizens are urged to consult the Department of State's Worldwide Caution dated 29 July 2009 for additional information and details.

The information in this warden message supplements the information contained in the Department of State's current Travel Warning for Mali dated 2 June 2009.

As noted in the Department of State's Travel Warning for Mali dated 2 June 2009 as well as the Worldwide Caution dated 29 July 2009, the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has been designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union, and has declared its intention to attack Western targets. AQIM has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of two Canadian diplomats in Niger in December 2008, the kidnapping of four European tourists in January 2009 on the Mali-Niger border, the murder of an British hostage in Mali in June 2009, the murder of an American citizen in Mauritania in June 2009, and most recently the 8 August 2009 suicide-bombing of the French Embassy in Mauritania.

The U.S. Embassy in Bamako has designated northern regions of Mali as "restricted without prior authorization” for purposes of travel by U.S. Government employees, contractors, grantees and their dependents. This designation is based on the presence of AQIM as well as Tuareg rebel activity. This restriction does not apply to travelers not associated with the U.S. Government, but should be taken into account when planning travel. The restriction is in effect for the following areas:

The region of Kidal; Areas north and east of the town of Gao, including along the road to Ansongo; Timbuktu and all points further north.

U.S. Citizens may call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries.

Americans living or traveling in Mali are encouraged to register with the Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Mali. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the Embassy. By registering, American Citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako is located at ACI 2000, Rue 243 Porte 297. The Consular Section can be contacted at +223 20 70 23 00, or via email at consularbamako@state.gov. Additional local information as well as recent Warden Messages are available on the Embassy’s web site at http://mali.usembassy.gov.

RELATED REPORTS 21 Aug 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: POSSIBLE MALI PROTESTS AUGUST 22 12 Jun 2009 AQIM DEVELOPMENTS IN WEST AFRICA 5 Jun 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: MALI HOSTS JUNE 7 SOCCER MATCH; POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE 2 Jun 2009 TRAVEL WARNING: MALI 2 Apr 2009 MALI 2009 CRIME & SAFETY REPORT