Bamako - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Markets are considered risky for pickpocketing. Caucasians stand out and will be followed and hard-sold to buy things. Certain neighborhoods have rising crime rates. This is a high-threat post so personal security is kind of 24/7. - Apr 2017
There is ongoing fighting in northern Mali but it almost feels like it's on the other side of the world. I feel very safe in Bamako and only have concerns about petty crime. One embassy house was burglarized since I've been here but they think it was an inside job (house staff). - Aug 2014
There is an Al Quaeda affiliate causing trouble up north, and official Americans are restricted in their travel up there. They are kidnapping Westerners for ransom. But in Bamako there are no issues of significance. People do openly wonder if the kidnapping will come south and disrupt life in Bamako, but no evidence suggests that yet, and frankly, I think Malians would not accept such a thing. - Jul 2011
No really. What I like most about it here is that it is still a safe country where you can walk, drive during the night, etc. That's a blessing. - Jul 2011
Only in northern Mali (the entire area north of the Niger river starting at its closest point to Timbuktu and running along its course to the Nigerien border).Bamako is very safe. I still cannot believe it's ranked "Critical" for crime by the State Department. - Oct 2010
The the city, there's very ilttle problems. It's very safe and the people are very friendly. Up north in Gao and Timbuktu, there's more of a security concern. There's been several instances of kidnappings and ransoms. - May 2010
In Bamako absolutely zero. However, there is a very serious terrorist/kidnapping threat in north of the country. Mission personnel must have written COM approval for travel north of Timbuktou. - Sep 2009
Relatively safe city - you can walk around without worrying about safety concerns. - Apr 2009
Hardly any. Use common sense. Mali is a very safe country. - Feb 2009
There are issues in Northern Mali, but not in Bamako - just your usually theft. We always felt very safe. - Feb 2009
Use common sense, but in general Mali is a pretty safe place, especially in comparison to the rest of West Africa. In the past year I have not heard of any criminal incidents, whether petty crime or violent. - Jan 2009
