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Terror warning for northern Mali, Timbuktu
Timbuktu and northern Mali have long been attractive to adventure travelers, but now the United Kingdom is warning Westerners not to go there for fear of terror attacks.The travel advisory, which you can read here, states that the provinces north of the River Niger, including Timbuktu, are the operating grounds for the terror group Al Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Magreb. On January 22 of this year they kidnapped a group of Western tourists near the Mali-Niger border and later murdered a British national. The advisory also warns that two popular festivals, The Festival in the Desert and Sahara Nights, are in the danger zone and should be avoided.
This is such a shame, as Timbuktu, shown here, is a World Heritage Site and the Festival in the Desert is one of Africa's best music gatherings. Mali is a poor nation and people need the hard currency that tourism brings. It seems that once again the actions of a few criminals are ruining it for the decent folk.
Have you been to Mali? Did you feel safe? Tell us about your experiences in the comments section.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phil Dec 3rd 2009 7:20AM
There have always been warnings around since the beginning of the festival. What mostly happen are border skirmishes with small groups running contraband or other across the border, and this is about 600 km of desert away. No one has ever been kidnapped on the road to and from the festival from Timbuktu. But of course saying they were coming for the festival makes more interesting print...
Anyway, the army which is supposed to be involved in skirmishes with the Tuaregs are always present around the festival, and protect the festival and the Tuaregs. So all this is a bit paradoxical to say the least!. As to Al-Quaida presence... Creating fear always seems like a good excuse to place "advisors" in the desert.
I think there have been more people killed or kidnapped in Paris, this month than in the desert all year. Maybe the governments should start postings about traveling to Paris, New York, LA and Berlin!.
The biggest risk you will encounter is not wearing a seat-belt.
Aside from that particular risk you will be safe traveling from Timbuktu to Essakane and back.
Plans have not changes for this year's festival.
John Dec 3rd 2009 7:20AM
There have always been warnings around since the beginning of the festival. What mostly happen are border skirmishes with small groups running contraband or other across the border, and this is about 300 km of desert away. No one has ever been kidnapped on the road to and from the festival from Timbuktu. But of course saying they were coming for the festival makes more interesting print...
Anyway, the army which is supposed to be involved in skirmishes with the Tuaregs are always present around the festival, and protect the festival and the Tuaregs. So all this is a bit paradoxical to say the least!. As to Al-Quaida presence... Creating fear always seems like a good excuse to place "advisors" in the desert.
I think there have been more people killed or kidnapped in Paris, this month than in the desert all year. Maybe the governments should start postings about traveling to Paris, New York, LA and Berlin!. Hey! we all know those cities are perfectly secured and terrorism-free!!
The biggest risk you will encounter is not wearing a seat-belt.
Aside from that particular risk you will be safe traveling from Timbuktu to Essakane and back.
Plans have not changes for this year's festival.
Elisabeth Dec 30th 2009 2:13PM
I have been coming to Mali since 1986 and to the desert since 2004. This time it is different. This is BEYOND skirmishes; even the Tuareg say they can not guarantee your safety if you go outside of the town. AND there have been holdups, even killings on the road to Timbuktu from Duanza. So be aware and be safe.
The problem is Algerian Islamic extremists coming into the desert- a branch of Al-Quaeda that is kidnapping westerners for ransom and sometimes killing them. Just do a Google search and read the travel advisory carefully on the US gov't website. You will see what is really going on. And while the killing of 3 Saudi tourists 250 km from Timbuktu the other day was near the boarder with Niger, distances are shorter in the desert with all the open space. Niger problems are spilling over into Mali. Things can turn on a dime. So if you go to Timbuktu, great, but avoid driving. Fly there instead and stay inside the town.
Elisabeth Dec 30th 2009 2:39PM
PS: The Malians thought the threats were so credible and worrisome, that they have moved the Music Festival just 9km from Timbuktu this year and the military presence will be like none you have ever seen. Go Mali!
Sean McLachlan Dec 30th 2009 2:40PM
Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear the festival will continue in a safer location.
Maximuslk Jan 26th 2010 6:29AM
Hi all,
I'm back from the festival and while security may have been the reason given for the change it was to the detriment of the festival itself - I was terribly disappointed especially after all that I had read about previous festivals.
Keep in mind that in its entire 9 years prior to this, not once has anyone at the festival been in any danger, so it leaves the question a begging why change it in this 10th year.
Personal opinion, the 10th edition of the festival was 'hijacked' for political reasons rather than security
Maximuslk
Mack Feb 3rd 2010 7:37AM
Nice post. There are different mosques in Mali. Djenneis very famous place in Mali. It is most visited place by the muslims. You can see the beautiful architecture in the mosque.The great mosque of djenne was built on an elevated platform of 62,500 square feet. To know more on Djenne refer http://www.journeyidea.com/the-great-mosque-of-djenne-timbuktu-mali/
Dylan Rhys Watkins Mar 28th 2010 8:23AM
I have just completed the round trip journey to the salt mines of Taoudenni from Timbuktu by camel/ foot oneway and returning by truck and here I am and all the better for it.
My fixer was delighted and relieved to see me back safe and sound- he had, apparently, lost many nights sleep worrying about my safety whilst I was gone (1 month). "Did you know about the dangers and warnings about travelling north like that?!" he said on my return, " Of course I did" I replied. Put simply, there are just as many dangers living in England from Terrorism, as the bus bombings in London have shown us, for instance. More people were harmed from that attack than all the occasions refered to in the news concerning tourists in Northern Mali of late. I believe that shedding one's fear of something is a crucial part of overcoming a challenge in the first place; if we stay away, then surely, the terrorists have already won. For my part, I found the people I came across in the desert were not dangerous savages looking to kidnap me, but were simply inquisitive and amazed charazcters willing to share what little food they had there in the sublime, sanguine landscape of the Sahara.
I plan on returning, next time, for much longer- I highly suggest others go to Mali as well, Lord knows, the economy needs the boost from tourism. Of course, be careful, as you would be anywhere else, but say no to fear/ terror and yes to living life the way you want to live it!
I will be releasing a film of my journey on the 3rd of June on Youtube, my user name is DylanRhysOfArabia, I hope you can spare the time to check it out. Regards,
Dylan Rhys of Arabia.
Sean McLachlan Mar 28th 2010 8:26AM
Sounds like a great trip! I agree that we need to shed our fear when traveling. On the other hand we need to be aware of the dangers, as you said. The purpose of this post was to keep people informed without scaring them off. Too many media outlets make the Muslim world look like nothing but a danger zone. I've been to a dozen Muslim countries and have never had any trouble.
The biggest danger in London isn't terrorism, it's being stabbed by hoodies!
Susan Stornetta Apr 12th 2011 2:23AM
Thanks for your posting. I'm writing a story about salt caravans from Taoudenni to Timbuktu in 1495 and would love to have present-day info about terrain and water sources in this desert vicinity.