British citizens currently in Mali, located in West Africa, are being strongly advised to leave the country. The Foreign Office has changed its travel advice, encouraging all individuals, except for those with urgent business matters, to depart. This updated guidance comes after an attempted coup last week and specifically warns residents in the capital city, Bamako, to exercise caution.
In their statement, the Foreign Office explained, “We advise against all travel to Mali and you should leave if you have no pressing need to remain.” They also mentioned that while the curfew (6pm-6am) has been lifted, individuals should still exercise caution and avoid crowds and demonstrations when moving around Bamako. There have been reports of limited supplies in some shops and long queues forming outside certain banks.
Considering the ongoing instability in Mali, and now that the airport has reopened, it is strongly recommended that individuals leave unless their circumstances require them to stay. The rebels have already attacked the strategic northern city of Gao, just after capturing the provincial capital of Kidal. These two cities are of significant importance to the Tuareg rebels, who began an insurgency in January, fueled by the influx of weapons following the fall of neighboring Libya, where many rebels had previously been supported by Moammar Gaddafi.
If Gao falls, the only major city in Mali’s north remaining under the control of the government will be Timbuktu. A soldier stationed in a military camp near Gao reported hearing heavy weapons being fired on Saturday. A resident in Gao witnessed the presence of Tuareg fighters in the city and reported brief gun battles. These individuals requested anonymity due to fears of retribution.
Furthermore, Mali is now facing severe economic sanctions in response to the coup. A representative of the military junta that led the coup expressed confidence in finding a solution to the crisis after meeting with Burkina Faso’s president. Colonel Moussa Coulibaly, who attended the meeting, stated, “We are leaving feeling confident, and we hope that in the shortest amount of time possible, we can reach a consensus on how to restore the institutions of the state in a manner acceptable to the international community.”
Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore is one of five regional leaders actively participating in efforts to mediate a return to constitutional order following the coup on March 21. The junta has been given a 72-hour deadline by Compaore and the other presidents to hand power back to civilians, which expires on Monday.
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