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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/