The U.S. State Department has authorised the departure of non-essential American personnel and their families from Mali, citing worsening security risks in the West African nation.
In a statement released on Friday, the department said the United States government cannot provide routine or emergency services to its citizens outside the capital, Bamako, due to escalating threats.
The advisory underscores Mali’s deteriorating security environment, marked by persistent militant activity, political instability, and restricted government control across vast areas of the country.
Washington maintained its travel warning for Mali at Level Four — the highest caution category, urging Americans to avoid travel entirely.
The decision reflects long-standing concerns over armed groups operating in the Sahel region, where violence and lawlessness have increasingly endangered foreign nationals and humanitarian workers.
Although the U.S. Embassy in Bamako remains open, officials said only essential staff will continue operations under heightened security measures.
The move follows similar actions by other Western nations in recent months as the security situation continues to deteriorate across Mali’s northern and central regions.
With the Malian government struggling to contain insurgent violence and foreign forces withdrawing, the State Department’s decision signals deepening unease over the country’s trajectory.
For U.S. citizens still in Mali, officials advised strict caution, limited movement, and immediate registration with the embassy for potential evacuation updates.