BAMAKO EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE

S E C R E T BAMAKO 000889

FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/DSS, GA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2020
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: BAMAKO EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE

Classified By: RSO Eleanor Holloway reason 1.4 (b)


1. (SBU) On November 14, the Ambassador chaired Bamako's
Emergency Action Committee (EAC). In attendance were the
acting DCM, RAO, Pol/Econ, Con, USAID, DAO and RSO.


2. (S/NF) RAO briefed EAC members that the Government of
Mali (GOM) authorities briefed their office that AQIM had
acquired 2 tons of fertilizer in Bamako and it had been
shipped to the Timbuktu region. GOM authorities also
provided the name of the driver and the shipping company that
was hired to transport the fertilizer. RAO further reported
that the fertilizer that was shipped was the same type of
fertilizer found in the home of two affiliated AQIM
individuals who were arrested while apparently preparing
explosives in GAO several months ago. RAO reported that the
GOM is uncertain where the materials would be used, whether
in Mali or possibly sent north to Algeria. GOM authorities
are monitoring the area and are working closely with Embassy
officials.


3. (S/NF) EAC members agreed to temporarily suspend travel
to the Timbuktu region based on the information received and
the uncertainty of the intended usage of the materials. We
believe in a few days it will be clear whether the materials
is staying in Mali and may be used here or has been moved,
reducing the threat to Timbuktu. The EAC will convene at a
later date to determine the security situation for travel to
the region. The Embassy will send out a Travel Alert for
Timbuktu and areas north.


4. (SBU) The security in Bamako remains the same and does
not warrant a change in the Embassy security posture,
however, the all security staff have been alerted are to
remain cautious.
MILOVANOVIC