Kidnapping of a Swiss woman in Mali (last modification, the 16.04.2012)

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) confirms the kidnapping of a Swiss woman who was resident in Timbuktu, Mali. 

The Crisis Management Centre (CMC) of the FDFA, in cooperation with the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) and the intelligence service, immediately started work to resolve this case.   The FDFA is in touch with the family of the kidnapping victim. The SDC Cooperation Office in Mali and the Swiss embassy in Dakar, which is also responsible for Mali, are in touch with the local authorities, who are responsible for the solution of this case. The FDFA is making every effort to ensure that the kidnap victim is released unharmed.

Since 1 December 2009 the FDFA has advised against travelling to Mali because of the higher risk of kidnappings. Because of the deteriorating security situation following the military coup and the advance of the rebels in the north of the country, since 30 March 2012 the FDFA has advised the Swiss nationals living in Mali to leave the country temporarily.

The FDFA strongly urges persons contemplating trips abroad to consult the Department’s travel advice before making definite travel arrangements. This advice has been provided for  157 states and is regularly updated. The purpose of the advice is to inform Swiss nationals about the situation in the destination countries and about important security measures. These travel tips are available on the FDFA website.

Further information:

Travel advices (de)

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs