Africa

Mali Crime Rate & Safety

Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Mali

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US State Department Travel Advisory

Do Not Travel

Updated June 8, 2026

Detailed homicide statistics are not currently available for Mali. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Mali at Level 4 of 4: Do Not Travel.

Homicide Rate

N/A

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Safety Rank

N/A

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Travel Advisory

Level 4 of 4

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Data Year

N/A

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Armed Conflict Context

Mali has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.

Battle-Related Deaths

1,008(2024)

Military Spending

4.2% GDP(2024)

Safety for Travelers

Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Mali:

There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. Embassy operations . Do Not Travel to Mali for any reason due to crime, terrorism, kidnapping , unrest and health. Advisory summary Do not travel to Mali for any reason. Due to safety risks, family members cannot join U.S. government employees who work in Mali. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Mali are not allowed to travel outside of Bamako due to safety risks. Due to the potential for terrorist attacks the U.S.

Level 1

Exercise Normal Precautions

Level 2

Exercise Increased Caution

Level 3

Reconsider Travel

Level 4

Do Not Travel

Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov →

Safety Guidance for Mali

Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated December 31, 2025).

Lawlessness and Instability

Mali faces significant security challenges. A disparate group of militias, bandits, politically motivated armed groups, and extremists exert influence in wide swathes of northern and central Mali. Malian state presence—including law enforcement, schools, and other public services—generally does not exist in those areas outside of major cities. The northern parts of the country continue to be plagued by insecurity due to terrorism and ongoing military operations, while central Mali--in the Segou and Mopti Regions--is unstable due to violent intercommunal conflict, instigated by terrorist groups, and armed attacks.

Terrorism

Travelers should avoid travel outside of Bamako because of insecurity and ongoing military operations. Terrorist groups with varying degrees of allegiance to al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) operate in Mali and often pursue local agendas complementary to these global jihadist movements. Groups linked with al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which have merged under the banner of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), remain active and routinely conduct attacks targeting international and Malian military forces. These groups have claimed responsibility for small arms and improvised explosive attacks, kidnappings, and other violent actions, including attacks on the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). French troops, in collaboration with Malian security forces, conduct counterterrorism operations that target extremist elements.

Kidnapping

The threat of kidnapping of Westerners by criminal or terrorist groups remains high throughout the region. Extortion and kidnapping for ransom are significant sources of financing for JNIM-affiliated groups. In one exchange in 2020, JNIM released four hostages, including a Malian politician and three Westerners, for the release of some 200 prisoners held by Malian authorities. JNIM had executed another Western hostage shortly before the exchange.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees

U.S. government employees must seek permission before traveling outside of Bamako. They are also prohibited from using public transportation outside of Bamako. Although these restrictions do not apply to private U.S. citizens, you should take them into account when traveling in Mali.

Civil Unrest

Periodic street demonstrations occur throughout Mali. Although some are planned and peaceful, demonstrations can occur spontaneously and turn violent. The majority of these are contained by security forces, but U.S. citizens should avoid street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times. Mali also has been subject to periodic coups, the most recent of which occurred in August 2020.

Crime

Criminal traffickers of all kinds operate throughout the Sahel and may respond violently if encountered. Violent crimes are frequent; U.S. citizens should maintain a vigilant posture in all urban areas. There has been a recent uptick in police harassment and violent crime such as armed robbery, armed carjacking, and assault in Bamako. There are sporadic reports of nighttime robberies occurring on the roads outside of the capital; tourists should not drive at night (See Travel & Transportation section).

For Your Safety

Guard your passport and wallet when in crowded outdoor areas and open-air markets. You may wish to consider carrying only paper copies of your passport and documents in these areas. Be vigilant for pickpockets, especially at night. Use all available safety measures in your home or hotel, including locking doors and windows at all times, as well as employing an alarm system. If asked to stop by police, stop only in well-lit areas or places where several officers are posted. See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime

U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the U.S. Embassy. Report crimes to the local police at 80 00-11 25 (connection and response is not always reliable) and contact the U.S. Embassy during normal consular hours at (+223) 20 70 23 00, or after-hours at (+223) 66 75 28 60. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. However, response from local authorities and recourse for victims of crime is extremely limited. When you do interact with local police, always request a copy of the police report. Due to the vigilantism which often occurs when criminals are apprehended in Mali, it is best to avoid the large crowds that may gather at the scene of a crime, a vehicle accident, or any altercation. Please see our information for victims of crime, including help for U.S.

Domestic Violence

U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism

No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

About This Data

Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.

Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.