Mali: State of emergency extended for one year

Event

On Saturday, October 21, the Malian government announced that the current state of emergency has been extended for one year. The state of emergency was scheduled to end on October 31 after being extended for an additional six months in April 2017. According to Defense Minister Tiena Coulibaly, the Council of Ministers decided to order the extension due to the ongoing terrorist threat in the central regions of the country.

Context

Mali has been under a state of emergency since November 2015, when armed men stormed the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, leaving at least 20 people dead (including 14 foreign nationals). The attack was later claimed by militant group Al-Mourabitoun, in conjunction with Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Due to the presence of various armed groups, Mali's northern and central regions remain unstable despite a French-led intervention launched in 2013 that drove many extremists from their strongholds. France maintains approximately 4000 troops who are stationed throughout the Sahel. The United Nations also maintains one of its largest peacekeeping missions in the world in the country (MINUSMA).

Advice

The security environment in Mali remains complex, particularly in the north and central regions. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.

Due to the underlying terrorist and kidnapping threats prevailing in the country, all those present in Mali are advised to remain discreet regarding personal details, particularly information concerning nationality, employment, family, etc. Individuals are also advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners, to remain vigilant at all times (especially in local markets, now used by terrorists as recruitment grounds), and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.