Fifthpro
Adventurer
Seeing how I have two of them I would have to agree!!! :victory:
I'm in Bamako, Mali
- Thread starter xr8dxj
- Start date
Seeing how I have two of them I would have to agree!!! :victory:
Isn't Timbuktu (Tomboctou) in Mali? If I was there I'd go just so I could take a snapshot of me next to a road sign reading "Tomboctou."
Martin,
Here's one for you from my friends who drove our limo from San Francisco to Tombouctou
xr8dxj
Adventurer
Rental... the driver stated it was a 2009. I'm not an a TLC guy, so I can't confirm or deny the actual year.
Why don't they sell them like that here ?
dieselcruiserhead
16 Years on ExPo. Whoa!!
Bamako, supposedly the birthplace of the blues...
DiploStrat
Expedition Leader
Do your homework!
Please don't confuse al Qaeda with Malians or Africans in general. They have killed far more Africans than Europeans or Americans.
Please don't confuse al Qaeda with Malians or Africans in general. They have killed far more Africans than Europeans or Americans.
jdayment
Observer
I agree Bamako is a relatively safe city. I see westerners shopping all of the time in Bamako no issues.
xr8dxj
Adventurer
For Bamako... That being said, in the hinterlands, a threat still remains. Granted this occurs more that 150-miles east of Gao.
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5AP2KA20091126
BAMAKO (Reuters) - Gunmen have kidnapped a French national in Mali's remote east, a government source said on Thursday.
"The kidnapped man is an expatriate called Pierre Kamat. He was taken yesterday afternoon," said a government official, citing reports from local authorities in the eastern town of Menaka. The official, who asked not to be named, said the Frenchman had been visiting the town of Tinderman when taken.
The attack is the latest in a series on foreigners in Mali and Niger's remote desert regions, where the countries have recently ended local rebellions but a plethora of smugglers, bandits and al Qaeda-linked groups operate.
France's embassy in its former colony last week warned its citizens of the risk of kidnapping in the desert regions, advising them to restrict their movements. Charities working in the area have also been advised to review security measures.
Last year, a group of European tourists were kidnapped when they were visiting a festival on the nearby Mali-Niger border. Al Qaeda's North African wing, known as AQIM, later released three of the hostages but killed one, a British national.
A Canadian United Nations envoy and his aide were also kidnapped in Niger in late 2008 and released in April this year.
Although never officially confirmed, analysts say ransoms are often paid to free the foreigners and al Qaeda's threat in the region is based as much on a complex blend of criminality and opportunism as it is on hardline Islamism.
(Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; writing by David Lewis)
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5AP2KA20091126
BAMAKO (Reuters) - Gunmen have kidnapped a French national in Mali's remote east, a government source said on Thursday.
"The kidnapped man is an expatriate called Pierre Kamat. He was taken yesterday afternoon," said a government official, citing reports from local authorities in the eastern town of Menaka. The official, who asked not to be named, said the Frenchman had been visiting the town of Tinderman when taken.
The attack is the latest in a series on foreigners in Mali and Niger's remote desert regions, where the countries have recently ended local rebellions but a plethora of smugglers, bandits and al Qaeda-linked groups operate.
France's embassy in its former colony last week warned its citizens of the risk of kidnapping in the desert regions, advising them to restrict their movements. Charities working in the area have also been advised to review security measures.
Last year, a group of European tourists were kidnapped when they were visiting a festival on the nearby Mali-Niger border. Al Qaeda's North African wing, known as AQIM, later released three of the hostages but killed one, a British national.
A Canadian United Nations envoy and his aide were also kidnapped in Niger in late 2008 and released in April this year.
Although never officially confirmed, analysts say ransoms are often paid to free the foreigners and al Qaeda's threat in the region is based as much on a complex blend of criminality and opportunism as it is on hardline Islamism.
(Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; writing by David Lewis)
Campbell Clan
New member
I lived there for 2.5 years and traveled all over the place Tombucto, Sadiola, Kayes, Manentalli, Sicasso, Syama, and every where in between. I felt scared once and it was in my head. THe far outreached regions in the Tourege areas are really the only thing to watch out for. there is so much to see and the people are truely awesome. I have never seen people with so little and be so happy. Basic happiness food in the belly family around the fire (Donkey included)
hieronymus
Adventurer
I was supposed to leave with Chris Scott on a four week tour in Algeria next month, but he cancelled the trip because of AQIM killing that 'British national'.
That's why I called Mali far from awesome.........
That's why I called Mali far from awesome.........
Having traveled extensively in all of North Africa since I was a kid I find that ridiculous, people have been kidnapped in NA for the past 2000 years nothing has changed, its if anything safer to travel there now than in recent decades.
hieronymus
Adventurer
Kidnapping is one thing, killing another (and new, at least recently). If you know who Chris is, I wouldn't take his judgement too lightly..........
No I am aware of Cris's reputation and have immense respect for him but I disagree heavily that the actions of AQIM kidnapping and eventually kissing some in Niger/Mali have any possible bearing on a trip to Algeria. The area while volatile has many differences and personally I would view Mali/Niger as relative no go areas whereas my experiences in Algeria have been quite the opposite.