Security for rally participants in West Africa
 

Hello!
I will be participating in this year's B2B rally. It starts on the 25th of January in Budapest and finishes in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
The routen will take us to Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania (Chinguetti-Tidjikja) and then Senegal (Podor-Mamari-Kedougou) to finish in Bissau.
We will be in the "race category" with a Mitsubishi L200.

How much are we risking going with such a visible target for kidnapping attemps? I mean, if my income would be ransoms, this rally would be a succulent sitting duck.

Btw, we may have armed escort in Mauritania, from the local government. But considering current situation in Mali, I fear proximity to its borders is not adviseable.

Many thanks!

Having come into contact with the B2B rally circus in the past, I would say that the main problem in security terms is that you will be about as low profile as a NASA rocket launch. I.E. where you are, is not exactly a secret! :-) Bonne route!!

According to my new 'Risk-o-Meter', you have a 10.5% chance of being kidnapped.

:biggrin3:

Hello Baaza and welcome to Horizons-
Risk and risk perception, as with everything is a personal choice.

a vehicle that many would appreciate out there...


Don't expect soldiers who are paid a pittance to take a bullet for you.


IMHO in view of the current political situation...

Just got eMail from spanish matadors who just came back from Mauritania. This is last year picture, I made some 50 km north from Nouakchott
http://shrani.si/f/3/3K/4GLQ5GMR/618c0786.jpg

And this is their this November tour
http://shrani.si/f/2A/mX/CbLCibt/map1.jpg

Looks like a nice route and you'll enjoy the protection of the Mauri army
Tidjidja-Chinguetti-Ouadane would be in the protected zone.
The coastal road does now have checkpoints
French guy kidnapped last week - they waited until he got into Mali before taking him
you should be ok
Bon Voyage!
(and don't drive after dark)

Thank you for your replies and advice!

We'll just have to wait and see how the situation in Mali is changing. An armed response in N Mali will make rebels cross borders into Mauritania and other neighbouring countries, in my opinion.