France urges nationals to leave Mali as soon as possible

Authorities advise against travelling by land due to alleged attacks by terrorist groups

A trailer pulled by a horse passes a closed Shell petrol station in Bamako, Mali, Nov 2, 2025, amid ongoing fuel shortages caused by a blockade imposed by al Qaeda-linked insurgents in early September. REUTERS

French Foreign Ministry on Friday recommended the country's nationals to leave Mali temporarily as soon as possible through commercial flights and not by land as main roads have be targeted by "attacks from terrorist groups".

The ministry has reiterated its formal advice against travelling to the African country "regardless of the reason".