Terror warning for northern Mali, Timbuktu

Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.

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.

12-30-2009 @ 2:39PM

Elisabeth said...

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!

12-30-2009 @ 2:40PM

Sean McLachlan said...

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear the festival will continue in a safer location.

Add your comments

Your comments:

Remember me

E-Mail me when someone replies to this comment

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.