The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Mali that legislative elections are scheduled for November 24, 2013. A second round of voting is expected on December 15, 2013 in constituencies where no candidate obtains an absolute majority in the first round. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako has advised Embassy staff who are not participating in election monitoring on Sunday, November 24, and Sunday, December 15, to remain at home on these days. Private U.S. citizens should carefully consider taking similar precautions and are encouraged to remain vigilant. This Travel Alert expires on December 31, 2013. With the impending legislative elections, demonstrations could occur in Bamako and various cities around the country. While the majority of these demonstrations are likely to be peaceful, it is always possible for an event to become disorderly and turn violent quickly without advance warning. Security forces are likely to show a heavy presence around Bamako over the coming weeks, particularly at the usual locations of demonstrations: Independence Monument, Place de la Liberté, Ministry of Defense, and the National Assembly. Malian Police, Gendarmerie, and National Guard will be armed with riot gear, including tear gas, to prevent demonstrations from turning violent. The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to avoid these areas and large crowds over the coming weeks. We also urge U.S. citizens to maintain situational awareness at all times, to exercise caution, remain vigilant, and to take appropriate security precautions to ensure your own safety. It is good practice to carry a fully charged cell phone and copies of your identification at all times. You should avoid photographing any official object, including infrastructure, facilities, government buildings, and individuals, as it may be against local law.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 04:48:31 +0000