 |

16 Sep 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
|
|
Areva Kidnappings near Arlit, Niger
There's talk of a possible kidnapping of a group including 5 French citizens who were working near Arlit - presumably on the mine.
News - Africa: France probes 'possible' kidnap in Niger
Last edited by Chris Scott; 7 Nov 2013 at 14:02.
|

16 Sep 2010
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: In the heart of Bavaria
Posts: 406
|
|
Confirmed!
Quote:
NIAMEY, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Five French nationals including two staff of French nuclear company Areva (CEPFi.PA: Quote), were kidnapped in northern Niger on Thursday, a spokesman for Areva in the capital Niamey said.
"They were kidnapped very early this morning in the town of Arlit," the spokesman said by telephone, referring to a northern town near the companies uranium mining operations.
The other three hostages worked for construction company Sogea-Satom, he said.
France's foreign ministry said it was investigating a possible kidnapping in Niger of a group of people including French citizens.
Kidnappings of foreigners has become more frequent in West Africa's Sahara-Sahel region over the last year, with hostages usually ending up in the hands of groups linked to al Qaeda's North African wing.
France has said it is at war with the group and pledged further military support to countries in the region after Islamists said in July they had executed a French citizen they were holding after a failed French-Mauritanian raid to free him. (Reporting by Abdoulaye Massalatchi; Writing by Mark John and David Lewis; Editing by Louise Ireland)
|
Reuters - Five French kidnapped in Niger - nuclear firm
and
Quote:
At least two French nationals among seven workers kidnapped in Niger. All worked for state-owned nuclear giant, Areva.
|
Al Jazeera - French workers kidnapped in Niger
Ulrich
|

16 Sep 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
|
|
On the latest kidnappings, the BBC news website notes:
Laouali Dan Dahdit said the kidnappers "spoke mostly Arabic and Tamashek", a Berber language used by the desert region's semi-nomadic Tuareg people.
Which reminds me, last Saturday morning (11 Sept 2010), Robert Fowler, the Canadian diplomat who was kidnapped by AQIM, was interviewed on BBC Radio 4. There wasn't much new in what he said on Saturday. Most of it was a retelling of the interviews previously available on the internet via Canadian TV. One striking thing, though, was the comment that the most frequently spoken language amongst the AQIM guys (or the language which they had in common - I forget which) was Tamashek.
|

16 Sep 2010
|
 |
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,989
|
|
Fwiw, the local Tuareg (as opposed to AQIM), have been protesting about getting a slice of Areva's pie in Niger this last year or two. Didnt they briefly kidnap a European engineer or smth a year or so back?
Ch
|

16 Sep 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
|
|
Kidnappings near Arlit by local Taureg tend to have a faster and happier ending than AQIM's- so one has to hope.
However, "They were last seen heading towards Inabangaret, an important well and stopping point near the border with Algeria and Mali, he said."
BBC News - French nationals among seven workers kidnapped in Niger
And we all know what happens west of there....
|

17 Sep 2010
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: greyton.south africa
Posts: 6
|
|
friends of mine in 2 land rovers crossed into algeria on tuesday the 14th sept(a6 hour border crossing inwhich cb radios and binoculars were confiscated) they crossed at Hazoua and are taking 7 days to cross down to In-Guezzam and then on to Agadez via Arlit,so they should be there by this time next week and from Agadez hopefully will be able to get more info on how things are in the area. LES
|

11 Nov 2010
|
 |
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,989
|
|
Well spotted buy worth clarifying that according to Ennahar they: "were arrested on the road to the town of Tinzaouatine in the province [or wilaya] of Tamanrasset" which is the size of the UK.
Tin Z is 600km from Tam (and it has to be said, the one place the Algies would be watching out for these guys).
Ch
|

13 Nov 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: F
Posts: 856
|
|
"Reports that 3 terrorists from Abu Zeids group intercepted near Tamanrasset, destined for North Algeria with funds for Droukdal....apparently had 100,000Euros cash on them."
This kind of operation ican be one reason of the restriction of travel for tourist in the area..
RR
|

19 Nov 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 679
|
|
|

19 Nov 2010
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: In the heart of Bavaria
Posts: 406
|
|
|

31 Oct 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,466
|
|
The release of the four French hostages coincides with the lifting of the arrest warrants in Bamako against four touareg rebellion leaders, Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh, Mohamed Ag Intalla, Ahmada Ag Bibi and Alghabass Ag Intalla.
Justice malienne | Mali : la justice lève les mandats d'arrêt contre quatre responsables de la rébellion touarègue
And, not surprisingly, Iyad Ag Ghaly is also looking for impunity - some say that the release came about now not because the money was ready to be paid out, but because Ag Ghaly negotiated the release.
Terrorisme | Otages français : Iyad Ag Ghali, le chef d'Ansar Eddine, a-t-il négocié son impunité ?
According to Niamey, there wasn't even any French directly involved in the negotiations.
French version: A convoy with touareg and French left Kidal Oct 21 without any means of communication (for fear of being tracked) but with a suitcase with cash (€20M+) that they exchanged for the coordinates of the hostages. Convoy returned to Kidal Oct 29, and the hostages were flown to Niamey.
Niger version: touareg leader Mohamed Akotey, former minister, now on the Areva board, close to president Issofou, spent several months in negotiations, and then went to Kidal, set up a meeting for the exchange 100 kms north of Kidal. He was then picked up by a helicopter sent from Niamey, they made the exchange and three hours later landed in Niamey.
Terrorisme | Libération des otages d'Arlit : en coulisses, les Nigériens contredisent la version française
One must wonder about the complicitiy by Kidal touaregs in high positions in the kidnappings of the last few years. All the above mentioned are from the same tribe, Ifoghhas, and they know each other very well. Iyad and Akotey were leaders of the rebellions of the 90's, Iyad in Mali and Akotey in Niger. And the Areva hostages were held by Abdelkrim, the touareg jihadist (now deceased), who just happens to be a cousin of Iyad.
Surely a lot of crooks in the Kidal region will now be wading in money.
|

31 Oct 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by priffe
Surely a lot of crooks in the Kidal region will now be wading in money.
|
And also with the experience of how to run one of these hostage taking deals. Which means any tourist passing through while that knowledge is current is on their radar - not that there will be any/many.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|