France urges citizens to leave 'extremely volatile' Mali 'as soon as possible'
France on Wednesday called on its citizens to leave Mali "as soon as possible" following weekend of attacks on government targets in cities across the country launched by jihadists and Tuareg separatists.
Issued on: 29/04/2026 - 10:10Modified: 29/04/2026 - 11:06
1 min Reading time Share By: FRANCE 24
France on Wednesday urged its nationals in Mali to leave "as soon as possible", citing weekend attacks by jihadists and Tuareg separatists and an "extremely volatile" security situation.
The security situation remains volatile and pending their departure, French citizens should stay at home, limit movement and follow instructions from local authorities while keeping relatives informed, the French foreign ministry said. All travel to Mali is strongly discouraged, the updated travel guidelines said.
"Travel to Mali is still strongly discouraged, regardless of the reason," the foreign ministry said in its updated guidelines.
"French nationals are advised to make arrangements to leave Mali temporarily as soon as possible on the commercial flights that are still available."
Read moreMali junta leader vows crackdown after insurgent attacks shake Bamako and north
West Africa's al Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-dominated separatist group hit Mali's main army base and the area near Bamako's airport in the attacks on Saturday, while also pushing Russian troops supporting government forces out of the strategic town of Kidal in the north.
The leader of Mali's military government vowed on Tuesday to "neutralize" those responsible.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
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