State Dept urges Americans to leave Mali now
The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Bamako warned Americans to avoid travel to Mali and for those in-country to depart immediately, citing terrorism, kidnappings, crime and blocked routes as al‑Qaeda–linked JNIM forces surround the capital. The embassy said citizens should leave via commercial flights and avoid overland travel due to attacks along national highways, adding it can rarely provide emergency services outside Bamako; a retired AFRICOM official warned an external operations threat to the U.S. homeland is increasingly likely.
📌 Key Facts
- State Department: 'Do Not Travel' to Mali; 'depart immediately' for those already there
- U.S. Embassy Bamako: leave using commercial aviation; overland routes unsafe; limited ability to assist outside capital
- JNIM has blocked fuel tankers and attacked armed convoys near Bamako, per reporting and expert assessments
📊 Relevant Data
The Fulani ethnic group, comprising approximately 13.3% of Mali's population, is disproportionately represented in jihadist groups in the Sahel, including in Mali, due to grievances such as marginalization, land disputes, and conflicts with other ethnic groups like Dogon farmers.
Understanding Fulani Perspectives on the Sahel Crisis — Africa Center for Strategic Studies
In 2024, terrorism deaths in Mali decreased by 21% from 763 in 2023 to 604, with attacks declining to 201, though the broader Sahel region accounted for 51% of global terrorism deaths, highlighting ongoing regional instability.
Global Terrorism Index 2025 — Institute for Economics & Peace
Jihadist groups in Mali exploit ethnic tensions, including intercommunal violence between Fulani herders and Dogon farmers in regions like Mopti and Ségou, which contributes to recruitment and instability.
Reversing Central Mali's Descent into Communal Violence — International Crisis Group