Mali Country Report

Mali possesses a challenging security threat environment that poses a real risk for foreign travelers and expatriates. The political situation has become more complex after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK) and members of his cabinet were arrested during a military mutiny in mid-August 2020. President Keïta's forced resignation led to the creation of a military junta calling itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), which assumed power before forming a civilian-led transition administration at the end of September. However, the CNSP led by Colonel Assimi Goita eventually forced civilian leaders to resign in mid 2021, allowing him to take power for himself. Mali's military junta announced a 24-month transition to a democratic civilian-led government from March 2022.

In addition to political instability, high levels of violence linked to the presence of a plethora of armed groups and Islamist extremists in northern, central, and increasingly southern Mali continue to fuel insecurity. Terrorist attacks remain commonplace in northern and central areas, with intermittent high-profile attacks being directed against the nation's capital. Foreign interests in the country, including in Bamako, have been singled out by terrorist groups, often seeking to cause a maximum number of casualties. The lack of well-developed communications, transportation, and utilities infrastructure make it difficult for the state to govern large areas of the country. Medical infrastructure is extremely limited, including in parts of Bamako.

Mali is generally assessed as a high-risk destination. A plethora of armed groups operate in northern and central areas of the country, carrying out frequent attacks, with the violence progressively spilling to parts of the southern region. Similarly, there is a high terrorism risk in Mali, driven by Islamist extremist outfits based in the North as well as the wider Sahel region. Mali also has a pervasive crime threat environment, characterized by both violent and petty incidents. Protests over socio-economic and political issues are common, and have the potential to escalate into violence.

Mali is linked to a number of international and regional destinations through reputable airlines, although domestic flights options are limited.

Overland travel poses significant risks in Mali, linked to poor road conditions, poor driving standards as well as perennial insecurity, particularly in the north and central regions.

Mali’s electricity production and transmission infrastructure is aged and limited, but efforts to improve the sector and expand coverage have been hampered by political turmoil and conflict. Mali has a largely underdeveloped and underfunded telecommunications sector, resulting in limited internet access and high costs, although the situation is improving.

The climate in Mali is desert in the north, semiarid in the center, and tropical wet in the south, and therefore temperatures and precipitation levels vary depending on location and time of year. Mali experiences periodic flooding, generally during the rainy season from June to October. Droughts and extreme heat are also common in the country. Mali is located in a seismically-active region, with sporadic low-to-moderate tremors reported, particularly in southern regions.

There are a wide range of disease-related risks in Mali, primarily malaria, dengue, cholera, and meningitis. Medical facilities are highly limited in Mali, with only two reputable clinics located in Bamako. The threshold for medical evacuation is low. Shortages of over-the-counter and prescription medication is common across Mali; counterfeit medicines are widely sold and are a major issue. Tap water is not safe for consumption.

The political situation has become more complex after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK) and members of his cabinet were arrested during a military mutiny in mid-August 2020. President Keïta resigned on August 18 and dissolved the National Assembly. A military junta calling itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) assumed power and announced the formation of a civilian-led transitional government in late-September. According to an agreement signed by the CNSP, the transitional government would remain in power for up to 18 months until new elections can be held. However, in May 2021 military units loyal to the CNSP and its leader, Assimi Goita, arrested members of the transitional civilian government and forced their resignations. Colonel Goita is now the country’s president until elections are held. On June 24, Mali’s government enacted the new electoral law. The date for the presidential election is set for February 2024.

Corruption is a major issue affecting all levels of government and the civil service. Rule of law is generally weak, being negatively affected by political interference and a culture of impunity. A UN sanctions regime is in effect for individuals found to be in violation of the 2015 peace agreement in northern Mali.