Mali Travel Information

The security situation in northern and central Mali is very serious. After several terrorist attacks in Bamako in recent years, the latest against a popular hotel/eatery on the outskirts of the city in June 2017, the security situation has deteriorated significantly in the capital. According to Abbreviationfinder, MLI stands for Mali in geography.

Safety

Mali is in a persistent, armed conflict situation. A peace agreement was signed in June 2015, but implementation is slow. This provides the basis for occasional meetings between rebel groups in the north and for terrorist attacks on Malian military/police forces and UN personnel. The UN has set up a major peacekeeping operation in Mali, Minusma. In addition, France is represented by a bilateral military operation, Barkhane.

The presence of foreign military personnel contributes to an improved security situation in Bamako and in the south, but at the same time these are a frequent target for the terrorist groups in the north. There are strong restrictions on domestic flights in Mali (UN flights only, no commercial operators) and it is warned against driving north of Segou. The source of income for terrorist groups is organized crime (especially drugs) and kidnapping of Westerners.

There have been several terrorist attacks in Mali in recent years. Most attacks hit military targets in the northern and central regions (north of Segou), but the capital city of Bamako has also been hit. The latest attack took place in June 2017, when five people were killed in an attack on a popular hotel and restaurant complex on the outskirts of town. In November 2015, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako was attacked and about 20 people were killed.

The biggest danger in Bamako and southern Mali is linked to traffic accidents and a poorly satisfactory health service.

  • Countryaah: Bamako is the capital of Mali. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

According to the official election calendar, presidential elections in March, elections to the National Assembly in May, Senate elections in July (subject to constitutional amendment being adopted) and local elections in November 2019. demonstrations and one should therefore exercise extra caution just before, during and immediately after elections. One should steer clear of demonstrations and larger gatherings of people.

The Niger River flows throughout Mali, and floods and floods associated with the rainy season (June-September) can occur along the entire river. This may affect particular infrastructure in Bamako and along the main road north. Drought characterizes the dry season (February-May) with frequent sandstorms that make some roads unreachable.

Avoid taking pictures of people without permission. Photographic equipment must not be used near military facilities.

Norwegian citizens residing in or planning a trip to Mali are encouraged to register their travel via http://www.reiseregistrering.no/.

Major Landmarks in Somalia

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

There is a visa requirement for Norwegian citizens when traveling to Mali. It is recommended to contact the Malian Embassy in Berlin.

Travelers are responsible for having a valid passport (valid six months beyond the end of travel). Gulf vaccine is required and a valid vaccination card must be presented upon arrival in Mali.

Health

Everyone should be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and poliomyelitis – in addition to yellow fever. Parts of southern Mali are malaria areas during the rainy season (June-August). Check the National Institute of Health’s updated recommendations (http://www.fhi.no/).

Practical information

Norway is represented by the embassy in Bamako, established in September 2017. The embassy’s address is: Embassy de Norv¨¨ge au Mali, Cit¨¦ du Niger, Bamako, telephone +47 23 98 28 00 or +223 754 30 325. There is limited capacity to follow up on Norwegian citizens of the country. The UD’s 24-hour operational center in Oslo can be contacted on tel. +47 23 95 00 00 in case of emergency.

The official name is “R¨¦publique du Mali”. The capital and largest city is Bamako. President is Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (IBK).

Area content is 1,240,000 km2 and the population is 17 million (estimate 2015). Mali’s population consists of many different ethnic groups, each with its own language and traditions. Mand¨¦ is the largest group of people. The population in Mali is mainly rural (70 percent) and seventy-ten percent are nomads. The nomads are primarily in the north. French is an official language and 13 local languages ​​are recognized as national languages. These include Bambara, Full, Soninke, Tamashek and Arabic. Bambara is also used as a lingua franca.

Currency is the Central African Franc (CFA). ATMs can be found in Bamako, around tourist spots, hotels and at the airport. Some hotels accept payment by credit card and then primarily Visa. Local currency unit CFA 1000 = NOK 15. According to allcitycodes, country code/area code is +223. There are several local mobile networks such as Orange and MTN. Current is 220 volts.

Mali is mainly a tolerant Muslim country (90 percent), with elements of Christianity (five percent) and traditional African animist faiths (five percent). Local traditions and customs should be respected, especially during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Mali is a domestic state bordering Algeria in the north, Niger in the east, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast in the south, Guinea in the south-west and Senegal and Mauritania in the west. Mali is the eighth largest country in Africa in area content and much of Northern Mali lies in the Sahara.

Mali’s economy is largely based on agriculture and a large part of the population depends on this as a primary source of income, but also as production for own consumption. 85 percent of the population is employed in agriculture. Cotton is produced for export and some mineral extraction (gold). Major infrastructure development is under way in Mali, primarily road and communication networks through state and private investment. Mali is heavily dependent on aid and it is estimated that approx. 40 percent of all funding in the country is provided through international donors. Youth unemployment is a major challenge in Mali.