France, on April 29, urged its citizens to leave Mali “as soon as possible,” citing a sharp deterioration in the country’s security situation.
In a statement published on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorities said conditions in Mali remain unstable and pose a direct threat to foreign nationals, calling on French citizens to depart immediately if they are able to do so.
The warning comes amid a surge in violence across the country. In recent days, several Malian cities have been hit by coordinated attacks carried out by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda, as well as Tuareg rebel forces.
The situation has further escalated following the killing of Mali’s defence minister, who was shot dead at his residence several days ago.
By Tamilla Hasanova
