'Two dead' as Morocco breaks up Western Sahara camp

[SMAUG]

'Two dead' as Morocco breaks up Western Sahara camp on BBC athttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11710400

[Chris Scott]

as the army try to close a Saharawi protest camp nearby

BBC News - Three dead as Morocco breaks up Western Sahara camp

Deaths in Western Sahara camp raid - Africa - Al Jazeera English

another BBC report, with video: BBC News - 'Eleven dead' in clashes in Western Sahara camp

Ch

[ivan2332]

Hello

Any news about enter to Morocco and Western Sahara with a motorcycle? In my itinerary, I will start Morocco in 7 days, cross Western Sahara, and get to Mauritania. Is it sounds possible with the actual situation?

Thanks in advance.

[Chris Scott]

It's not like this in Layounne every day so I would not worry about it too much. It will take 20 mins to ride through town and the checkpoints beforehand will keep your informed.

In case you dont know - a fiche will speed up checkpoints, though it's not essential.

See the bottom of this page for details and a download.

Ch

[pera]

Now the road is closed for foreigners at Tantan as some flights from Canary Islands to El Aaiún.

[atari]

This are pretty bad news, as we plan that route around february/march... Is there someone on-site to keep us uptodate?

[Chris Scott]

Looks a lot worse than initially reported according to this:
BBC News - Spain presses Morocco over Western Sahara deaths

Ch

[carinatauk]

I have just seen the current status on the fco.gov.uk site:

Middle East and North Africa

Western Sahara


Still current at: 12 November 2010
Updated: 09 November 2010
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Safety and Security - Political Situation (Moroccan authorities dismantle protest camp). The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in Western Sahara.


Can anyone confirm this? given the statements made with regards to road closure at Tan Tan or have I misunderstood?

Thanks

George

[Chris Scott]

I dont think you have misunderstood. Pera's source was Spanish I presume and they may be more on it than the Brits, but all Google searches on the subject lead back here so perhaps the closure was only a day or two?
I have not heard of this road being closed since before the convoy days.

I imagine someone actually in the area will post news soon.

Might be worth looking on the Spanish version of FCO, but dont know what that is called.

Ch

[CourtFisher]

Originally Posted by Chris Scott

I dont think you have misunderstood. Pera's source was Spanish I presume and they may be more on it than the Brits, but all Google searches on the subject lead back here so perhaps the closure was only a day or two?
I have not heard of this road being closed since before the convoy days.

I imagine someone actually in the area will post news soon.

Might be worth looking on the Spanish version of FCO, but dont know what that is called.

Ch

"Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation"

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación | Gono de España

[twenty4seven]

Al Jazeera English recent report if interested.

Inside Story - Tensions in Western Sahara

[pera]

Originally Posted by Chris Scott

I dont think you have misunderstood. Pera's source was Spanish I presume and they may be more on it than the Brits, but all Google searches on the subject lead back here so perhaps the closure was only a day or two?
I have not heard of this road being closed since before the convoy days.

I imagine someone actually in the area will post news soon.

Might be worth looking on the Spanish version of FCO, but dont know what that is called.

Ch

Yes, here in Spain the news about Western Sahara are permanently in the front page of the papers but there is a lack of acurate information.

I read that the road was closed for foreingners at Tantan, some Spanish journalist arrived yesterday El Aiún via Mauritania but they were put into an aircraft back home.

The flights from Canay Islands were suspended until yesterday (friday). I have no news, as I will have I´ll tell you here.

Anyway the situation is very "unconfortable" for tourists subject to comprensive controls and car inspections, mostly for Spanish

[slartybartfast]

on a different thread 2 quad riders south of the unrest are stranded with no petrol in the area

[Ronnie79]

I just spoked to the Moroccan emabssy in Sweden. They told me that the unrest is over and it will be no trouble passing through Laayoune anymore.
But it would ve nice to hear from someone who been there the last couple of days.

[DRad]

I just rode through Laayoune yesterday (18/11) and things were tense, but quiet. There are a bunch of newly burnt out buildings and riot police everywhere. I didn't know what the scoop was so I puttered around the city for a bit until a guy at a gas station said it was probably best to move on since he thought there might be some more trouble that afternoon.

If you are taking the main road in/out then you can pretty much skirt the city and completely miss the areas that saw any problems.

Outside the city, both North and South, the main road was fine. I took a couple of small dirt tracks and hit a couple of little villages along the coast and there wasn't a hint of trouble.

The last couple of days have been holidays, so I don't know if that's made things better or worse, but it's something to take into account.

Police checkpoints where hassle free- looked at my passport and then sent me on my way. Friendly guys who all downplayed any problems.