French tourist abducted in northern Algeria

[Whiskey]

As Chris already wrote [here in April] - fyi: the Tizi Ouzou area mentioned in the link above has long been a no go area.

Jund al-Khilifa (Caliphate Soldiers), an Algerian armed group kidnaped Sunday evening 55 old French tourist in area of Tizi Ouzou (east Algeria) Reuters report:

French national taken in Algeria, group claims kidnapping | Reuters

[Chris Scott]

More bad news. I was just reading last week how this Ja-K group announced it had split off from AQIM to pledge it allegiance to IS, and wondered if it was worth mentioning here. With IS's recent record in Syria, I did also wonder if this might be the eventual outcome, but didn't assume it would happen so soon.

As you can see from the link above, the Algerian authorities sought to play down the switch as just some fringe group giving themselves a more menacing label (not unlike when GSPC changed names/allegiance to 'AQIM' in 2007, was it?).

They won't be thinking that now. If IS-allied groups spring up in the more touristed countries of the Maghreb (i.e: anywhere but Alg and Libya), that could have a big impact on what's left of our travels.

An AJ report on the latest abduction here. (Probably the same as the Reuters.)

Ch

[Jake]

Seems Isis have taken hold (well a group wanting to affiliate to them now) and a french mountain guide taken hostage. Isis are pretty uptight with the French at the moment so what this guys fate holds could well be pretty unpleasant.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News...a-sources.html

Jake.

Edit: this is the same event mentioned by Whiskey - not another one. CS

[Whiskey]

From Al Jazeera link we can notice that also MBM is join to ISIS. That means very bad prediction to survive already long abduction of all kidnapped travelers in Sahel.

[Ratte]

Christ,

I wanted to ride to Senegal, coming from Europe, so Marocco - Mauretania ...
Departure Mid November...


with all this news, I think I will have to change plans and I quit my job already...

maybe hoping it will improve within 2 months, but that's rather doubtfull...

[Whiskey]

@Ratte, do not worry. It is safe on Africa's west end. Traveling through Mauritania is safe. Even in areas further east at Guelb er Richat, Ouadane and Zouerat. Senegal seems also Ok.

[Ratte]

Hi Whiskey,

I'm glad you say that, and I think I believe you. Otherwhise, I do not want to offend you, but maybe it is not so good to judge the safety of a country on the word of one man - even an experienced/HUBB regular. if I may ask, on what basis did you make this statement?

The advise of the Belgium government is to avoid (almost) all travelling in Mauretania.
Other blogs or reports from HUBB and other sites say it is ok to travel.
My girlfriend just went to Mali last week, and spoke with a friend/local, who told it's not ok.



one say it's safe, another say it isn't. I hear different things. I want to be sure it's ok before leaving. But I have difficulties to have that confirmed.
Nevertheless, there are still 2 months before departure, I hope I can figure it out in a descend way. and I hope the situation does not get worse.


grtz,

Raf

[Thimba]

Originally Posted by Ratte

Hi Whiskey,

I want to be sure it's ok before leaving. But I have difficulties to have that confirmed.

Hi Ratte,

You can never be sure it's ok, and you will find that there's no confirmation possible. That's what independent travel in Africa is all about. Just play it by ear, be alert, follow the news, listen to the locals, be flexible and ready to change plans while on the road. I think the Ebola outbreak will cause more challenges to overlanders now than IS. But you're right, it's just another opinion

Cheers from Nairobi,

Gee


Africa's southernmost point

[Chris Scott]

Well put Gee. These uncertainties are why they call it 'adventure' travel.

My post about the possibility of IS-allied groups springing up elsewhere was not meant to alarm. It may not happen or get very far, but that's how it went a few years ago when the AQ franchise was seen as an effective promotional tool for local jihadists with a grievance. Since that time most of the African countries involved have become adept at hunting them down, or disrupting their activities.

The Tizi Ouzou province cannot be compared with anywhere in Morocco, except perhaps the Rif (though for other, less drastic reasons). And no tourist has been kidnapped in Morocco afaik, (though several have been killed in city-centre bombings).

Mauritania too has taken measures since the Nov 2009 kidnappings, and you can cross that country, with close observation from the police, in two days.

And so you get to Senegal where, as said, the ebola outbreak might be seen as a much greater threat to travel.

The fact that the foreign ministry websites of European governments' advise against passing from WS to Mauritania must be taken as advice, not a rule. And they are notoriously out of touch. Plenty of people use that border daily, just as was done 25-30 years ago when WS was on the blacklist.

The Brit FCO shows a similar red zone for Mauritania, so too does the French equivalent, but this latest guy was not travelling in the proscribed red zones the MAE show for Algeria - even though I would consider it as such much more than the deep south.

So keep your eyes open, Raf. Then enjoy your ride to Dakar, come back and tell us all about it ;-)

Ch

[Rafke]

The fact that the foreign ministry websites of European governments' advise against passing from WS to Mauritania must be taken as advice, not a rule. And they are notoriously out of touch. Plenty of people use that border daily, just as was done 25-30 years ago when WS was on the blacklist.

Chris is certainly right. I have seen some travel warnings for the WS come and go. Even Laâyoune was on the blacklist for some time. Didn't get where that one came from. Life goes one here, the border crossing into Mauritania is busy and easy going, lots of Belgians will be passing here next week on their way to Senegal with the 2CV Dakar Challenge, etc.

Don't let those warnings put you off too much, just make up for yourself what you feel comfortable with and follow good advice here and on the road.

grtz
Raf

[Rafke]

Back to the original topic, an article in Le Figaro states, following Algerian security sources, that Abou Abdallah Othmane El Assimi, a founding member of the GSPC who indeed, together with Abdelmalek Gouri, pledged allegiance to IS this summer is behind the abduction.

It further states that the splinter group does not count more than 15 members and AQIM counts approximately 800 men in Algeria, Algerians as well as foreigners, mainly in the north.

grtz
Raf

[Thimba]

AFP mention a video of his beheading. So does SITE (terrorism monitor). Still has to be confirmed.

Gee

[Pongo]

Le Monde subsid Huffington post France has confirmed what we didn't want to hear, but perhaps suspected.

Infos de dernière minute et opinions sur Le Huffington Post

[Rafke]

Tragic, very tragic news. Thoughts go to their relatives and loved ones.

[Ratte]

sorry for bringing this off topic.
I am thankfull for all your answers.
about this tragic news: Thoughts go to their relatives and loved ones.

This new, along with the announcement that Belgium will participate in the war against IS earlyier today, it doesn't improve the situation.
Anyway, like you guys said, this does not have to mean Dakar is not reachable. Ill have to consider the options...