This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Terrorism (update). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Mali because of the activities of armed terrorist groups, particularly in the northern part of the country, and the risk of banditry. Extremist Algerian groups in Mali present potential risks for travellers. There have been incidents of armed banditry, carjacking and kidnap. Foreigners, Western oil interests and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) may be possible targets. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

We advise Australians to heighten their awareness and to take increased security precautions when in their homes or cars and watch for any suspicious or unusual activity.

We strongly advise you not to travel to the northern part of Mali, including Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal, and to border areas with Mauritania, Algeria and Niger, because of the activities of armed terrorist and rebel groups, and the risk of banditry and kidnapping.

Al Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a terrorist group responsible in the past for the kidnapping of foreigners, is active in northern Mali and poses a significant security threat. In planning your activities, you should be aware that terrorist targets could include places frequented by foreigners and identified with Western interests.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

Over the past few months there have been several clashes between Tuareg rebel groups and the Malian army in the Kidal region, and near the borders with Niger and Algeria. These have resulted in a number of deaths and injuries, and in Malian soldiers being taken hostage by rebels. Civilians have also been affected. In May 2008, thirty people were killed and another 30 injured.

The security situation near the border with Ivory Coast is uncertain.

You should also read our travel bulletin entitled Release of a film by Netherlands MP Geert Wilders.

Crime

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft are common in urban areas of Mali. Thieves target large public gatherings and are also active on trains, particularly at night.

In the north of the country, armed banditry, kidnapping and carjacking occur. Four-wheel drive vehicles are particularly targeted. Where possible, we recommend you travel by plane or boat if you must travel to this region.

Commercial and internet fraud is prevalent and often originates in West African countries. Victims have been defrauded and those who travel to the originating country have had their lives endangered. Some victims have been killed. Criminals have been known to seek details of 'safe' bank accounts overseas in which to transfer large sums of money (as a donation or for a percentage of the amount involved). They may also provide fake cashier cheques for 'urgent' shipments of large quantities of goods, request sizeable fees for a fake government contract and extort money from individuals they have convinced to travel to Africa for a business opportunity. If you are a victim of a financial scam, we advise you to obtain legal advice and not to travel to Africa to seek restitution as there is a risk of physical assault from the perpetrators. Our information on International Financial Scams provides more detail on these types of scams.

Some Australian citizens have also been defrauded or had their lives endangered by bogus internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes operating from West African countries. These scams typically result from connections made through internet dating schemes or chat rooms. Once a virtual relationship develops, the Australian citizen is asked by their friend or prospective marriage partner to send money to enable travel to Australia. Once the money has been received, the relationship is usually terminated and any chance of recovering the funds is highly unlikely. In some instances, foreigners who have travelled to Africa to meet their friend or prospective marriage partner have been kidnapped and held to ransom.

Local Travel

Public transport is limited and unreliable.

Driving in Mali can be dangerous, especially at night, as most roads are in poor condition or non-existent and vehicle maintenance is poor. Driving conditions deteriorate in the rainy season (June - September) as roads become impassable. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

The rainy season is June to September when flooding may occur. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Credit cards are rarely accepted in the capital city, Bamako, outside a few major hotels. Travellers' cheques may be exchanged at banks. There are limited ATM facilities in Mali and it is recommended that you check details with your card provider before arrival in the country.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Mali, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Serious offences, including murder, sedition and spying, carry the death penalty.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include heavy fines and lengthy imprisonment in local jails.

It is illegal to photograph around military zones, military assets and/or military personnel, transportation facilities and government buildings.

Homosexual activity is not explicitly illegal in Mali but may be considered 'contrary to accepted standards of behaviour', which is a criminal offence subject to a prison term of up to two years.

Written authorisation from the National Museum in Bamako is required for the purchase and/or removal of archaeological objects from Mali.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are strong Islamic codes of dress and behaviour in Mali. You should take care not to offend.

During Ramadan, Muslims are not permitted to eat, drink or smoke in public between sunrise and sunset.

Information for Dual Nationals

While the Government of Mali recognises dual nationality, officials may place restrictions on the ability of Australian officials to provide consular assistance to Australian/Malian dual nationals if they are detained or arrested. We recommend you travel on your Australian passport at all times.

Australian/Malian dual nationals may be liable for civil/military obligations. Before travel, dual nationals should check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mali.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mali for the most up to date information.

A valid Yellow Fever Certificate is required for entry into Mali and on exit from the country.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Medical facilities in the capital Bamako are very limited and even more basic in rural areas. Up-front payment is usually required before commencing treatment. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could exceed $A100,000.

Malaria and other tropical diseases are common in West African countries, including Mali. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling, taking prophylaxis against malaria and using an insect repellent at all times. Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, cholera, yellow fever, hepatitis, meningitis, polio and, tuberculosis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Mali. By agreement between the Canadian and Australian governments, the local Canadian Embassy provides consular assistance to Australians in Mali. This service does not include the issue of Australian passports. The address is:

Canadian Embassy
Immeuble Semega
Route de Koulikoro
Bamako, Mali
Telephone (223) 20 212 236
Facsimile (223) 20 214 362
Email: bmako@international.gc.ca

You can also obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Ghana:

Australian High Commission
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments, Accra
Ghana
Telephone: (+233) 21 701 2961-3 or (+233) 21 777 080
Facsimile: (+233) 21 776 803
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au

If you are travelling to Mali, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above Embassy or High Commission you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.