Last Updated:
November 13, 2007 11:04
EST
Still Valid:
November 15, 2007 21:12
EST
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1. RECENT UPDATES
The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed.
Section 1 (Current Issue removed) has been updated.
See our Current Issue for more information on floodings.
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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Mali
Mali has tightened its security measures at the border with Côte d'Ivoire due to the ongoing instability in that country.
Regional Warning(IDW11)
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the regions of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal, due to the presence of armed groups. Caution should be exercised at all times. Travelling to these regions by road is also advised against. On August 26 and 27, 2007, an armed group of Tuareg dissidents attacked civil and military convoys close to Algerian and Nigerian borders, and took hostage several members of the Malian armed forces. On August 30th and 31st, civil vehicles carrying persons and livestock jumped on mines near the Nigerian border, causing the death of about 15 civilians.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
It is the responsibility of individual travellers to make informed travel choices. The Government of Canada takes very seriously the safety and security of Canadians abroad and provides credible and timely advice in its Country Travel Reports. Situations vary from country to country, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense.
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.
Banditry and carjackings occur in and around the city of Timbuktu and the northeast. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are specifically targeted. Should you choose to travel to the north of Timbuktu, the western border area with Mauritania, or the eastern border with Niger and Algeria, you should consult the local authorities to determine if a military escort is required.
Petty crime occurs. Pickpockets are active on trains, particularly at night. Panhandlers are common. Canadians should be careful of scam artists at the airport. Travel in groups, remain alert, ensure your personal belongings and your travel documents are secure, and avoid poorly lit areas after dark. Corruption is prevalent. Police may stop motorists and request payments. Food products are sometimes sold past their expiry date. Higher prices may be charged for merchandise bought in markets.
Demonstrations could occur but remain rare. Canadians should exercise caution, monitor local news reports, and avoid large crowds and demonstrations.
Travellers, particularly women, have been harassed in public places. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Her Own Way: A Woman’s Guide to Safe and Successful Travel. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian women and encourage them to travel safely.
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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of Mali and was valid on December 5, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Mali and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Mali. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination.
A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Mali - BAMAKO, Embassy of Canada
Address: Immeuble Séméga, Route de Koulikoro, Commune II, Bamako
Postal Address: P.O. Box 198, Bamako,
Tel.: 223 221-2236
Fax: 223 221-4362
E-Mail: bmako@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.bamako.gc.ca
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Bamako and follow the instructions. You can also make a call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.
Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in the country’s customs, laws, and regulations. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
Although homosexuality is not a criminal offence, it may be considered contrary to accepted standards of behaviour and persons may face sanctions.
The Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, to which Mali is signatory, restricts the export of certain Malian archeological objects, particularly those from the Niger River Valley. Under Malian law, an export authorization from the National Museum in Bamako is required by visitors seeking to export such items.
Photography of military personnel and installations is prohibited. Interpretation of what subjects may be photographed is influenced by cultural and religious factors. Ask permission before taking photographs.
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7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY
Road conditions off major roads are poor. Driving standards, lack of traffic signals, and pedestrians on roadways pose risks. Overloaded transport vehicles often break down and cause accidents. Many vehicles lack lights. Exercise extreme caution when driving in Bamako. Public transportation is unreliable in the capital. Taxi fares should be determined before departure. Roadside assistance is not available.
During the rainy season, some dirt roads may be impassable without a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Vehicles should be equipped with spare tires and an emergency kit. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.
The currency is the African Financial Community franc, or CFA franc (XOF). Credit cards are rarely accepted outside a few major hotels. Carry traveller's cheques in euros or Canadian or U.S. dollars which may be exchanged at major hotels and in banks. Banks do not exchange traveller's cheques on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) has a foreign exchange bureau close to the Grand Hôtel on Koulikoro Road. BDM-SA and EcoBank are reliable and have several outlets. The Banque internationale pour le commerce et l'industrie au Mali (BICIM) has a 24-hour ATM in the lobby of the Nimagala Building on Dabanani Road.
Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine (ABM) services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
There are three main seasons: the rainy season (June-October); the dry, cool season (November-February), when temperatures can drop to 15°C in January (in the evening); and a dry, hot season (March-June), with temperatures reaching 45°C. Local flooding can occur during the rainy season. For more information on flooding in Mali, see our Current Issue.
Dust storms and sand storms frequently occur. Canadians travelling to Mali should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Bamako in the event of an emergency.
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9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Medical facilities are limited. Travellers should ensure they have a sufficient supply of prescription medicine. To avoid risks of mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should cover up and use mosquito repellent.
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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Returning to Canada
Traveller's Checklist
Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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12. ANNEX
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