Kidnapping in Mali

In November, a French national was kidnapped from his hotel in Menaka in northeastern Mali.

The United Kingdom and the French foreign ministry have urged “extra vigilance” when traveling outside of the capital, Bamako. The US Department of State recommends against all travel in the north, including the areas of Timbuktu, Essakane, Kidal and Gao.

A North African branch of Al-Qaeda is blamed for four kidnappings, two murders of hostages and two attacks on embassies in 2009.