France Tells Its Citizens to Leave Mali Amid Rising Security Threats

Mali, 8 November 2025 - France has urged all its citizens living in Mali to leave the country immediately, warning of growing insecurity and the threat of attacks by armed groups.

The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying French nationals should leave “as soon as possible” by air, and avoid all overland travel.

The embassy in Bamako will remain open for now and continue offering consular services to those still in the country.

This warning comes as fighting between Mali’s army and armed groups has intensified, especially in the northern and central parts of the country.

Roads connecting major towns have become unsafe, with increasing reports of ambushes, kidnappings, and blockades by rebel groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).

France’s announcement follows similar alerts from the United States and the United Kingdom, which have also told their citizens to leave Mali due to fears of attacks on Western targets.

Last week, the U.S. evacuated non-essential embassy staff from Bamako and warned that security conditions could worsen quickly.

Mali has faced growing instability since military coups in 2020 and 2021 brought a junta to power.

The transitional government has since cut ties with France and strengthened relations with Russia, allowing Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group to support its counterterrorism operations.

Despite these efforts, attacks by armed groups continue to spread, displacing thousands of people and worsening the humanitarian situation.

Many parts of the country remain outside government control, and tensions between communities have deepened.

The French government has also warned that the closure of key routes and airports could make it harder for people to leave if the situation deteriorates further.

It urged French nationals to register with the embassy and prepare to depart while commercial flights are still available.