Security situation in the Sahara

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Security situation in the Sahara
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Security situation in the Sahara

Security situation in the Sahara
Where to go in the Sahara?

It’s getting tight in the Sahara. Kidnappings and terrorist attacks make more and more areas impassable. This overview shows where and how things are still going.

Thomas Stutz, Annette Johann

11/06/2008

After the recent kidnappings of eleven tourists in Egypt, which was previously considered to be relatively safe, the freely navigable regions of the Sahara have become even smaller. The warnings from the Federal Foreign Office now apply to almost all of North Africa, and many neighboring countries have tightened their restrictions on individual travelers. So now Tunisia, up to now one of the last unrestrictedly explorable countries alongside Morocco, has set up restricted areas.

However, opportunities still exist in the northern Sahara, albeit often in an organized manner. The southern neighboring states are increasingly becoming nogo areas for foreign nationals due to terrorists, rebels and more or less open civil war scenarios such as in Chad and Sudan. The extreme east down to Somalia in the Horn of Africa, where no state order can currently be assumed, is considered to be particularly extreme.

Morocco


Security situation in the Sahara


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Map section of North Africa.

In Morocco, individual trips are in principle still possible without restrictions. Caution is advised in the Rif Mountains, where travelers are sometimes harassed by drug dealers. You shouldn’t drive alone here. In addition, trips to the Western Sahara region and onward travel to Mauritania are currently not recommended. According to the Federal Foreign Office, security circles include the spread of those who have been active in Algeria so far “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb” (AQIM) does not cover Moroccan territory. The Moroccan authorities are also warning of the risk of terrorist attacks.

Algeria


Security situation in the Sahara


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Map section of North Africa.

Since the spectacular abductions in 2003, travel has only been possible to a limited extent. In addition to the visa, it is now necessary to book an Algerian travel agency. This organizes the guide, without which areas south of Ghardaia, El-Qued and the border town of Taleb Larbi (near Nefta / Tunisia) are no longer allowed to be traveled. The guide helps with the formalities at the border and then leads south on tar roads, for example to Illizi or In Salah. The prices depend on the duration of the trip and the route, whereby 125 euros per day have to be calculated for a guide in their own vehicle. There is currently no permit for the Great Eastern Erg, Erg Issaouane, Erg Tifernine, Erg Chech, the area between Bordj Omar Driss and Amguid and for the Tanezrouft slope Reggane – Bordj Mokhtar. The north of the country is also not advised, as there have been repeated attacks with fatalities in recent times. Before starting your journey, inform one of the agencies about the current situation and discuss the planned route.

Travel agencies in Algeria (selection):
Tourist agency & Voyages Teneghelt, Boite Postale 10026 – Serssouf, 11000 Tamanrasset-Algerie. Telephone 0021/329343418, email: info@teneghelt.com, www.teneghelt.com.

Agence Reve Hoggar, Cheikh Baklia, Boite Postale 763, 11000 Tamanrasset – Algerie, phone / fax 0021/329341985, email: Agence_reve_hoggar@yahoo.fr, www.revehoggar.com

Tunisia


Security situation in the Sahara


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Map section of North Africa.

The Federal Foreign Office particularly points out the dangers in the southern border area with Algeria. After the kidnapping of an Austrian couple on February 22, 2008 by the terrorist group “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb” the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism has tightened the travel regulations for the south of the country and divided it into a northern and a southern / southwestern exclusion zone. The entry areas are El Matrouha, Djebil, Ksar Ghilane, El Kamour, Kambout and Larzat. For both zones, in addition to GPS and satellite phone, you need an official permit (available on site from the governors of Tataouine, Kebili and Tozeur) as well as a companion from a local agency. In the northern exclusion zone, at least two vehicles must drive together, in the southern four. As of 2009, the latter will only be accessible for competition events and organized trips.

All other areas, such as the Dahar Mountains in the southeast, can be freely traveled. Current information and a list of Tunisian travel agencies are available from the Tunisia Tourist Office (Ms. Beschaoui), Bockenheimer Anlage 2, 60322 Frankfurt / Main, phone 069 / 133835-0, fax -22, www.tunesien.info, email: fvatunesien @ aol .com

Libya


Security situation in the Sahara


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Map section of North Africa.

In Libya a conference is currently clarifying how travel regulations should be designed in the future. At the moment, nothing works here without a travel agency. This organizes all immigration formalities, visa stamps, insurance and vehicle registration plates as well as the obligatory travel companion. The prices are around 35 euros per day for the guide when traveling in the tourist vehicle and around 90 euros in their own car (including driver). The following regions are currently closed to tourists: Wau en Namus, Akakus Mountains (southern entrance), Ghat, Djebel Uweinat (in the triangle of Libya, Egypt, Sudan) and the areas near the border with Niger, Chad and Sudan. You can also travel to Ghadames, Al Hamadah Al Hamra, the Darj – Idri route, Erg Ubari, Mandara Lakes, Erg Murzuq, and Wadi Mathendusch. But here, too, it is important to inquire about the current status of the safety regulations before starting your journey.

Travel agency for Libya (for example): Saro-Expedition GmbH in Rosenheim, phone 08031/32758, www.saro-expedition.de

Egypt


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Map section of North Africa.

There is an increased risk across the country due to arbitrary attacks on tourist destinations. Tours off the official routes as well as individual trips are subject to approval in certain regions. Fixed checkpoints monitor all routes at regular intervals. In some areas there is also a risk of mines. Since the kidnappings in September 2008, the Uweinat region is no longer accessible and the Gilf Kebir Plateau is only reserved for guided groups.

Mauritania


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Map section of North Africa.

Terrorist groups like “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb” active in Mauritania and provide urgent travel warnings. At Christmas 2007, four French tourists were on the highway in broad daylight “Route de l’Espoir” ambushed and shot. A few days later, the Paris-Dakar rally was canceled for safety reasons. A military coup against President Abdallahi on August 6, 2008 noticeably exacerbated the situation. Particularly a shame, since the only, now almost completely asphalted Transsahara route runs through Mauritania all the way down to Senegal.

Mali


Security situation in the Sahara


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Map section of North Africa.

The security situation is particularly endangered in northern Mali by Turareg rebels and armed terrorists operating across borders. There is a risk of armed attacks on tour groups as well. Attacks against the Malian army currently indicate a further deterioration in the security situation. An express warning applies here against the areas north of the 15th parallel. So along the Malian-Mauritanian border to Youvaru and from there north of the Niger River to the border of Algeria and Niger. Except: the cities of Timbuktu and Gao.

Niger


Security situation in the Sahara

Map section of North Africa.

Because of the increased clashes between Nigerien security forces and armed rebels, travel to Agadez and the Aïr Mountains is strongly discouraged. There is also a risk of mines in the Aïr Mountains. The transit route Assamakka (Algerian border) –Arlit – Agadez – Tahoua should also be avoided at present. Here as well as on the Agadez – Zinder road, individual journeys are no longer allowed, but only in military escorted convoys. In the confusing region of the Nigerien Sahara (border area Mali / Niger / Algeria) and in the entire east (Tenere desert) up to the borders of Chad and Libya, the risk of kidnappings and extortion for foreigners cannot be ruled out, according to the Federal Foreign Office.

Chad, Sudan, Eritrea


Security situation in the Sahara


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Map section of North Africa.

Chad, large parts of Sudan and Eritrea are currently considered life-threatening and in no way suitable for travelers. In Sudan, the dangers threaten especially in the western region of Darfur due to conditions similar to civil war. Also in the north, in the regions of the White Nile and in the Sennar area. The Sudan / Ethiopia border is open and the onward journey to Egypt via Wadi Halfa is possible, the borders to Chad and Eritrea are closed. Changes possible.

Chronicle of the Crimes

February 2003
Several tour groups with motorcycles and off-road vehicles are kidnapped in southern Algeria on the grave runway, including a total of 16 Germans. The first 17 of the 32 displaced persons were liberated on May 13 by an Algerian special unit near Tamanrasset, 1,900 kilometers south of Algiers. The remaining hostages will not be released until ransom payments are made in mid-August. A 45-year-old German does not survive the hardships and dies of heat stroke in the desert.

December 24, 2007
Four French tourists are ambushed and shot by an armed group while resting on a country road in Mauritania in broad daylight.

January 4, 2008
One day before its official start, the 30th Paris-Dakar Rally is canceled by the organizer due to “direct threats by terrorist groups against the race”.

February 18, 2008
The Swiss Christian Kny and his three local companions are kidnapped by armed rebels in the Uweinat region in the Egyptian-Sudanese border area and held captive for ten days.

February 22, 2008
A couple from Austria traveling alone are kidnapped during a desert tour in southern Tunisia and have been in the hands of the kidnappers ever since. The kidnappers of “Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb” abducted the two of them across Algeria to northern Mali.

September 19, 2008
Eleven European tourists and their eight Egyptian companions are abducted by gunmen in the Gilf Kebir region in southwest Egypt and released after eleven days of imprisonment.

Important sources of information


Security situation in the Sahara


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Outline map of North Africa.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.auswaertigesamt.de

The desert ship forum: www.wuestenschiff.de (extensive German-speaking forum with a focus on Africa)

Swiss desert forum: www.desert-info.ch

Sahara Club: www.sahara-club.de (online presence of the Sahara Club e.V. Here you can find competent contact persons for all topics related to the Sahara)

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