In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the step comes as part of its continued follow-up and commitment to protecting Egyptian nationals abroad, noting its close coordination with Malian authorities to ensure their safety and return.
In a related development, the embassy also arranged the safe return of two Egyptian citizens stranded in the city of Nioro, about 435 kilometres from Bamako, after coordinating with Malian authorities to secure their transport.
The abduction of the three Egyptians took place amid rising insecurity in Mali’s western and central regions, where armed groups linked to Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) have increased ambushes, detentions, and kidnappings along remote roads.
The incident began in early November when two Egyptians were seized while travelling outside Bamako; a third citizen was later confirmed to have been abducted in a related event.
Local media reports circulating at the time claimed that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom, some sources citing figures as high as USD 5 million, for their release.
Egypt's foreign ministry swiftly denied the validity of these ransom rumors, stressing that it had received no formal demands and cautioning against the spread of misinformation that could compromise ongoing efforts to secure the citizens' safety.
Following the abduction, the ministry issued a strict travel warning, advising Egyptians to refrain from travelling to Mali due to the rapidly deteriorating security conditions.
It also urged Egyptian nationals already in the country to limit movement outside Bamako, carry identification documents at all times, remain in close contact with the embassy, and exercise maximum caution given the heightened risk posed by militant and criminal groups operating across intercity routes.
The ministry's Crisis Management Unit in Cairo and the Egyptian embassy in Bamako have worked in close coordination throughout the incident.
Diplomatic channels with Malian security authorities were activated immediately, with daily follow-up until the kidnapped citizens were located and secured.
The embassy maintained open emergency lines with the families of the abducted citizens, provided regular updates on the progress of negotiations and search efforts, and coordinated medical support and safe transport once the individuals were released.
The release of the three Egyptian citizens in Mali comes amid a series of incidents in recent years involving the kidnapping or detention of foreign nationals across the Sahel region, where armed groups, criminal networks, and local militias operate with limited state control.
Road ambushes and abductions, particularly along remote routes connecting Bamako with northern and western regions such as Kayes, Nioro, Mopti, and Gao, have increased steadily since 2022.
Several countries have issued strict travel warnings for Mali, advising their nationals to avoid travel outside the capital, Bamako, due to the deteriorating security environment and limited safe transport routes.
Foreign nationals, especially traders, drivers, and temporary workers, have been vulnerable to detentions, banditry incidents, and mobility restrictions imposed by armed groups operating along intercity roads.
Short link: