My wife and I took Nouakchott - Kiffa - Aioun El Astrous road and entered Mali through Gogui. The road throughout was good except for a few km untarmac after Kiffa. The station at Aioun El Atsrous did not have any petrol, so we bought about 10 liters at double the normal price from the same guy who mend the station.

Early Saturday morning we reached the border, all easy leaving Mauritania and the custom officer shamelessly asking for 5,000 Ougiya to stamp out. Reluctantly gave him half the amount since he was very adamant to get the money from me.

Went to the Mali side and after filling out the forms, the police said the border has been closed for entry and no one is allowed to enter Mali through Gogui. No point to return to the Mauritanian side as they also do the same. By end of the day there was a long line of trucks waiting to enter Mali and a few hundreds people waiting to enter Mali..

No change of situation on the 2nd day but at around 9 pm the police had allowed non Mauritanian lorries to enter Mali. Malian are also allowed to enter Mali.

The morning of the 3rd day situation started to get ugly when people got to know that some non Malian were allowed entry after they have made special payment to the police. The police also kept most of the people passport and ID and charge them 5000 to 10000 CFA if they want their passport back. One man was 'detained' in the police room for being too 'outspoken' about the payment. Many of the people have not eaten for days as they did not expect to be stucked at the border. They asked the police chief for help but he just laugh and told them to find their own food.

On the 4th day morning, people started to block vehicles from leaving or entering Mali and situation became more tense. Police started to move around with weapons in hands. At around 12.30 pm, the police announced that everyone with valid visa can enter Mali, hereby ending the fiasco.

We were there to witness the whole thing from day 1 to the end. Our conclusion, the police/custom on both sides were arrogant, corrupt and would not give a damm about other people hardship. They will squeeze every penny from anyone who passes the border. We feel extremely sorry for the many innocent and poor Africans at the border that day.

Welcome to Africa.

Borneoman