WASHINGTON  (AFP) – The United States warned its nationals Tuesday against traveling to Mali because of a risk of becoming a victim there of kidnapping by Islamist extremists.

“The US Department of State continues to warn US citizens of the risk of travel to Mali, and to recommend against all travel to the north of the country due to kidnapping threats against westerners,” a statement said.

The US government “is aware of several separate sources of information indicating AQIM’s (Al Qaeda in the Mahgreb’s) ongoing interest in kidnapping westerners” in Mali and neighboring countries in the region.

“The threat posed by AQIM, sporadic banditry, and the porous nature of Mali’s northern borders with Algeria, Niger, and Mauritania all reinforce longstanding security concerns affecting travel to northern Mali,” the State Department said.

The statement added that US government employees or contractors will be required to obtain prior written authorization from the US ambassador in Mali before being allowed to travel there.