Security

One of the most talked about topics is security. So I want to put in my two bits, living in Mali.

If you believe everything in the media, all of Mali is a war zone. On every corner there is a Jihadist who wants to cut off your head, put a bomb in your car or at least kidnap you for a hefty randsome. It frustrates me to read these stories and hear these opinions, usually from people who have either never been to Mali or at least not been there for years.

Even more annoying however is the two measured response of western media, in particular, to incidents. If a goat herder somewhere in the bush of Mali gets killed by another person, the world is too small, the country is extremely dangerous, you are advised NOT to go there. If a bomb explodes in Paris or an extremist knifes a few people in London, next day it’s business ass usual.

Sure, Mali has its problems. But every country has its problems. Just because I would never go to a Ban lieu near Paris or walk through certain neighborhoods in Amsterdam at night, does not mean the whole country has gone to shit. And Mali has certain areas that are better avoided. But that does not mean the whole country has gone down the drain.

In a great part of Mali there is absolute no problem with security, and it’s completely safe to go there. Just inform yourself properly as to where not to go. Do not believe just anybody. Inform yourself from people who can know, not from people who have heard from other people.

Please take your normal precautions as you would do in other countries. Do not drive at night, do not wild camp near border areas, respect the people, repect the law, and you will have the best of times in Mali.