Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - General speculation on Saharan kidnapping tactics

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- - General speculation on Saharan kidnapping tactics (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/north-africa/general-speculation-saharan-kidnapping-tactics-46942)

Yes, it could be neat, underhanded reporting. But it is hard to know what comes from journalism, what comes from the regime (and which part of the regime).

As you say, the actual areas that need 'mopping up' are fairly well known, so it is strange that virtually the entire north is brought into it.

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Across the Sahara, Westerners are continuously captured and held in the Malian Sahara. But most Western countries have promised aid to fight this terror remain invisible.

Usually, when Westerners were kidnapped in the Sahara, their captors are not worried about the direction of Mali. And there, as if by magic, they disappear into the desert. Then follows a chase initiated by the security forces of countries bordering the Sahel-Sahara region.

The rest is history. Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), author of the package, calls for the release of the hostages against the expansion of its imprisoned activists and a little money. After desperate efforts to get their hands on the kidnappers, the military, often poorly equipped, abandon the search. This scenario has been applied to all hostage-takings that finally ended in northern Mali.

Following diplomatic ballet to free their compatriots, the Western countries are promising wonders to stabilize the horrible desert.

Temoust - Terrorisme dans la bande sahélo-saharienne : Où sont donc passés les occidentaux ?

Gogoonisch - E

Ulrich

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The kidnapping of European hostages is a pure "business"

According to a press report, released recently, a local official in northern Mali, have created a company with the income of commissions he cashed in his capacity as mediator for the release of Western hostages "kidnapped by Al Qaeda." The kidnapping and release of the hostages are, increasingly, a commercial character, given the amounts exchanged between stakeholders in this process, argues the author of this report.

In this same report, there was a glaring contradiction in the role played by the Malian President Toumani Toure Amdou. It was specifically explained that when it comes to the hostages belonging to countries outside the EU or other powers, he rushes to find a way forward and the release of hostages. But when it comes to the hostages from countries of Maghreb and the Sahara, Mali there shows no interest. Why Mali not acting to free the hostages kidnapped in Niger, Tunisia and Mauritania? Have we interviewed.

In addition, the report does not rule out "the existence of a national network (Mali) and international, who kidnaps the European hostages, and then demanded ransoms loud. Once collected, the kidnappers release the hostages. How else explain the fact that it is practically the same people responsible for this operation, leading the hostages after payment of ransom, the presidential palace of Mali. The report also refers to the doubts surrounding the kidnappings, and negotiations for their release, indicating that these are steps that a business benefit all stakeholders.

Elkhabar - Le kidnapping des otages européens est un pur « business »

The matching article

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Release of Western hostages: Diplomacy takes Malian she benefit?

The Guido 20/04/2010 Comments [1] E-mail Print

This question worth asking. Rarely is the diplomacy of Mali can unlock its soldiers taken hostage by "Islamists" or captured by those called by the government under the term "armed bandits". Generally, these are neighboring Algeria and Libya that are distant requested to have them released under the crackling flashes of cameras and projectors. But oddly, when it comes to Western hostages kidnapped in Mali and elsewhere in the Sahara, Mali diplomacy sets in motion its machinery and obtain their release. Suddenly, an important question comes to mind. Malian diplomacy draws she profit?

In recent years, Mali shines through the achievement of the ministry in charge of defense and foreign affairs. We have seen the distant Western hostages in Tunisia and Mauritania and Niger neighbors, often found in Mali, it is unclear how or why. And at every opportunity, we convince ourselves that no ransom is paid in exchange for their release. An assertion that seems difficult to swallow. Because in spite of the insistence of the Malian government, the media in countries of origin of the hostages and the Maghreb to the contrary.

The media described as "alarmist" by Bamako argue that intermediaries receive large amounts of either hand of the Malian authorities or embassies accredited hostages in Bamako, to secure the release of their nationals. Indeed, by relying only definition of "rap, abduction, kidnapping and hostage-taking" one can easily realize that the liberation of Western citizens is necessarily obtained in exchange for something. In this regard, we must not delude ourselves. Now what is this "something?" Is the whole mystery. Better, it seems, now an entire national and international network is organized around the kidnapping and release of hostages.

As proof, the Government of Mali has long denied that his band Sahel-Saharan zone is not used for arms trafficking and drugs. But a few years ago with the advent to power through the ballot box President ATT authoritative voices were raised that it is unacceptable to leave the strip in the hands of traffickers of all kinds. Finally, what is to be believed? Certainly it need more time to admit that those who rule as lords of this band have focused their activities on the rap of Western tourists.

For several months, N'Diaye Bah, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts struggles to invite tourists to travel north. At first glance, it invites them for what they bring to the local economy. To do this, he struggles as if the devil. But he has never spent so much energy to treat the image of Mali tarnished by acts of insecurity. And if he does, is to deny what is known to all. Recently, it has been hara-kiri by telling the camera ORTM in Paris, there is no insecurity in northern Mali.

Anyway, who knows the harsh conditions of life in the Sahara, bandits and other armed Islamists after months of wandering, they dare to release their hostages without receiving something in return? Who can estimate what the cost of a single day of a hostage in the Sahara? Why are other countries in the Sahel-Sahara band did they not singled out as Mali on the release of Western hostages?

In trying to answer those big questions, we see that the abduction and release of hostages have become a kind of commerce that the illegality is that some actors are obliged to give way. It is a complicated business because of both national and international implications ladles it requires. According to credible sources, it can allow a government to warm diplomatic relations with another. As it can be used to divert attention from its national opinion. For example, the release of Ingrid Betancourt from the FARC who were detained in Colombia, has allowed the government to set up Sarkozy in the polls with the French opinion. It was concerned with various problems, primarily unemployment, recession, insecurity in the Paris suburbs and other repeated scandals in hospitals, banks and businesses.

As in Mali, it is indicated that the north has created a national transportation company through its commissions he received as an intermediary of a ransom paid in exchange for the release of Western hostages.

maliweb - Libération d’otages occidentaux : La diplomatie malienne en tire-t-elle profit ?

Ulrich

I don't suppose it's a huge surprise to read that parts of the Malian state may be in on it or want their slice of the cake, or that some Sahelian/Burkinabe Max Clifford figures are benefitting too.

You do wonder what the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini meant by the "fruit of intense diplomatic work that led authorities in Mali to take decisive actions to reach this solution. We had to work for many months on very complex political and diplomatic negotiations".

Without wishing to diminish their ordeal, from the photos it appears the two Italians and the Spanish woman were better treated than previous hostages, as if the captors are becoming ever better at 'hostage hospitality', climate notwithstanding.
I read somewhere that Abou Zaid (portrayed as a jihadi hardliner who executed Edwin Dyer) was not managing the Italian captivity, which may explain the less harsh treatment.

Honestly, we were treated well, but the heat really was hard", Mrs. Cicala indicated. "We ate well, even if food was not that [good/plentiful?]. There was drinking water, meat, even milk and bread for breakfast, she said. "Whatever the kidnappers ate, they gave us the same. But the heat was our main problem... We made shade with blankets in the branches of trees", she added.

Ch

Four Saharan desert states (Mali, Mauri, Niger and Algeria) are to open a joint command headquarters in Algeria (Tam) to co-ordinate efforts to counter the growing regional threat from al-Qaeda.

From the perspective of counter-insurgency and assuming this will mean forces can cross each others borders, this is the sort of thing that is needed. For AQIM, it might mean that NE Mali is no longer the refuge it once was and that they might have to relocate to other parts of the Sahara or lie low for a bit. For Saharan travellers it might actually mean an increase in the uncertainty in the short term as new patterns shake down. But first the Algerians need to take some action.....

BBC News - Saharan states to open joint military headquarters

Saudi Cleric Issues Fatwa

At long last clerics from Saudi speak out against terrorism.

Many in Maghreb hail Saudi fatwa denouncing terrorism (Magharebia.com)

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Occidentaux... Western ... Bye bye Sahara ? Bye bye Sahara?

The Sahara issue is since the arrival of French settlers to governments today, keeping away from people and Tuareg nomads in an extremely violent marginalization contribute long as droughts, to serve as a leitmotif for Leaders of these groups to enter into open rebellion against the powers completely abstract ... In the 1990s, the race for energy seems to be in order after the Cold War and that of Iraq. Thus, the Sahara was thrust into the international spotlight with the flows of Canadian multinationals, French (yet!) American, Russian, Chinese, Australian ...
It also became, since those years, a place for all types of trafficking:
- First of cocaine from Colombia, Mexico ...
- Illegal immigrants from West African countries
- Weapons from Liberia, Ivory Coast, Chad ...
- For ten years by hordes of bearded men from Algeria (under the guise of Islam) who came to control all these networks Sahel ...

Issikta - Occidentaux... Bye bye Sahara ?

Gogoonisch - E

Ulrich

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The report of the new security presence of terrorists from Tunisia, Libya, Morocco redoubts organization in Algeria, also revealed more details about those who termed them to''foreign jihadists base Morocco''descended from more than 17 different nationalities European and Arab, African, Asian, and the more than 160 per capita *

Djazair - 160 إرهابي من جنسيات مختلفة تدربوا في معسكرات مختار بلمختار بالص�*راء

Gogoonisch - E

Ulrich

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Editor's note: This is the first of a three-part blog series on terrorist finances. In Part 1 we'll look at al Qaeda’s challenging financial situation. In Part 2 we'll examine at the Taliban’s money trail and in Part 3 we'll look at international co-operation (or sometimes the lack-thereof) in tracking terrorist financing. Bookmark our Security Brief section and check back Thursday for Part 2.

CNN - Security Brief: The 'urgent' choking of al Qaeda's money supply

Ulrich

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Surrounded by the Defence Forces and security dispatched Adrar, the rebellion is now decapitated. The rebel leader, Ibrahim Ag Bahanga and his men have preferred to go. It was during a bloody confrontation, after which, Bahanga have been captured. Avant d'être amputé d'un bras et d'un pied. Before amputation of an arm and a foot.

... the U.S. military, using a radar system identify some sixty men, on several 4x4, under the command of Bahanga. All in the direction of Algeria to refuel with food. As a result, U.S. intelligence communicate with the base of Mali.

maliweb - Bande frontalière Mali-Algérie : Bahanga, entre la vie et la mort

Gogoonisch - E

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Ghana: Criminal Networks (Drugs, weapons, and cyber crime)
Internet crime, drug trafficking, weapons smuggling issues which has become very rampant in West Africa, especially Ghana, is likely to be increasingly. The so-called African Criminal Networks (ACN) which affects the daily life and significantly undermines public institutions is due to the incapacity of the state to create effective mechanisms that prevent the rise of those networks.

GhanaWeb - Is Ghana Really The Central For The African Crime Networks?

Ulrich

Security situation in south Algeria

Ulrich, I believe the article on Bahanga is fake until it has been corroborated from other sources. Also, the only people he likes to kidnap are Malian soldiers.
And the Ghana article is more related to WA drugs, perhaps with a connection to Aqim.

Meanwhile, it appears that there was an intercepted satellite call commanding kidnappings (in Tefedest?) that set off the alarm in south Algeria, closing parts of the desert for tourism and abruptly interrupting the vacation for those who were in the area.
El-Watan El Watan :: 26 mai 2010 :: Embargo sécuritaire sur Tamanrasset et Djanet�*: Menace sur le tourisme saharien
by Salima Tlemcani

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...Indeed, since last February, the circuits of Tassili Hoggar up Djanet are prohibited travel agencies in Tamanrasset, which are required to have permission to move them to Willaya Illizi, Ghardaia, Adrar, Naama , Tindouf, Tlemcen or Batna. A situation deemed "catastrophic" by the President of the Association of Tourism and Travel Tamanrasset (ATWT).
According to him, the ban has never been the subject of writing. "The Tourism Directorate of Tamanrasset verbally told us not to travel to tourist sites Tassisili of Tefedest and not to go to Djanet nor by the northern slopes nor those of the south without us arguing about the decision

After the restrictions imposed by local authorities, probably for security reasons, tourism professionals fear for the future of tourism in Tamanrasset.

Tourism activity in Tamanrasset, one of the few points fall of Western tourists, is in danger? If you believe the Association of travel agencies in the wilaya, tourism is seriously compromised, including the upcoming season which begins in October and whose preparations are made, usually in June after the recent decisions by local authorities.

Also reported by the touaregs
Les Touareg veulent des Etats fédéraux au Mali et au Niger - Temoust.org | Le portail du peuple touareg berbère Kel Tamasheq

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The Algerian press reveals that "the Tassili Hoggar circuits are forbidden to travel agencies in Tamanrasset ... the security services were extended by military escorts to tourists and ... Tourists in camp have been squarely on board the helicopter landed Tamanrasset, and abandoned without any explanation."

In reality, panic seized after authorities intercepted satellite phone communications concerning an order for "kidnapping".

(this article is also a touareg history lesson)

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Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) becomes embedded in the desert of northern Mali.
This Saharan territory as big as France, became a sanctuary for trade hostages and drug trafficking.

Issikta - Al Qaida transforme le Sahara en poudrière

Gogoonisch - E

Ulrich

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GAO, Mali -- Dozens of Malian troops rush through the sweltering desert, yell war cries and open fire, spitting hundreds of bullets from rifles and machine guns. It's all part of a training session - run by the United States.

The U.S. is trying to help nations bordering the Sahara and the arid Sahel region to contain a growing threat of terrorism. More than 200 U.S. Special Forces and 500 African troops trained together in May, in the latest of several large military maneuvers over the past few years.

Intelligence officers estimate there are some 400 Al-Qaida extremists based in the vast emptiness north of here, up from about 200 just a year ago. They worry that the militants are teaming up with smugglers carrying cocaine across the desert to Europe and with the restless nomad tribes of the Sahara.

As the extremists get stronger and wealthier, they are attracting more recruits among local youth and Muslims in sub-Saharan Africa. While Algeria's large military has managed to contain most terror attacks to the hinterland, militants have spread southward through the porous borders of the Sahara to take advantage of weaker African governments like Mali and Niger. ...

Washington Post - Al-Qaida offshoot grows in the desert Very interesting - 3 pages

Ulrich