The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Abu Dhabi has prohibited UAE citizens from travelling to the Republic of Mali with immediate effect, citing rapidly deteriorating security conditions in the West African nation. A notice released late on 9 December 2025 instructs Emiratis currently in Mali to organise their departure “as soon as possible” and to register with the ministry’s 24/7 emergency hotline for assistance.
While MoFA did not specify the exact threat, regional diplomats point to escalating clashes between government forces and insurgent groups that have already prompted the EU and several airlines to revise risk ratings for Malian airspace. The UAE’s move follows similar advisories issued by France and Saudi Arabia earlier in the week.
![UAE issues travel ban on Mali and urges citizens overseas to return immediately]()
For multinational companies headquartered in the Emirates, the ban has immediate mobility implications. Staff travel to Mali for energy, mining and humanitarian projects must be suspended, while duty-of-care protocols should be activated for any UAE nationals still on the ground. Companies employing mixed expatriate teams should also review insurance cover, evacuation vendors and alternative hubs such as Abidjan or Accra for West-Africa operations.
The advisory does not apply to expatriate residents of the UAE, but employers are advised to extend the same risk assessments to all travellers regardless of nationality. Travel managers should update booking tools to flag the restriction and remind employees that failure to comply could invalidate corporate medical-evacuation policies.
MoFA emphasised that citizens abroad can receive real-time updates via its “Twajudi” app, which was upgraded this year to include biometric check-ins and automated push alerts in high-risk zones.
While MoFA did not specify the exact threat, regional diplomats point to escalating clashes between government forces and insurgent groups that have already prompted the EU and several airlines to revise risk ratings for Malian airspace. The UAE’s move follows similar advisories issued by France and Saudi Arabia earlier in the week.
For multinational companies headquartered in the Emirates, the ban has immediate mobility implications. Staff travel to Mali for energy, mining and humanitarian projects must be suspended, while duty-of-care protocols should be activated for any UAE nationals still on the ground. Companies employing mixed expatriate teams should also review insurance cover, evacuation vendors and alternative hubs such as Abidjan or Accra for West-Africa operations.
The advisory does not apply to expatriate residents of the UAE, but employers are advised to extend the same risk assessments to all travellers regardless of nationality. Travel managers should update booking tools to flag the restriction and remind employees that failure to comply could invalidate corporate medical-evacuation policies.
MoFA emphasised that citizens abroad can receive real-time updates via its “Twajudi” app, which was upgraded this year to include biometric check-ins and automated push alerts in high-risk zones.
