France has urged its citizens in Mali to leave “as soon as possible” following coordinated attacks over the weekend, including in the capital Bamako, according to an updated travel advisory for this West African country.
The security situation remains unstable and, pending their departure, French citizens should stay at home, limit travel and follow the instructions of local authorities while informing their relatives of their movements, the French Foreign Ministry said. It is strongly recommended to avoid any travel to Mali, the directive also said.
Al-Qaeda’s ally in West Africa and a Tuareg-dominated separatist group struck the Mali army’s main base at Bamako airport during attacks on Saturday, while driving Russian troops supporting government forces from the strategic northern city of Kidal.
The leader of Mali’s military government pledged yesterday, Tuesday, to “neutralise” those responsible for the attacks.
</html
