I received word via official sources in the region this week that the situation in Northern Mali, Northern Niger, and SOuthern Algeria is rapidly worsening. I noted on another thread the passage of a fellow Hubber up through Niger via Arlit and into Algeria, and his subsequent observations that there was little to raise concern en-route. I am now being advised very strongly not to continue my walk either in Algeria or Mali.

I am at this stage able to get a visa for Algeria so I intend to continue as planned, although I will have to buy new camels there rather than continue with my old ones. But I am both confused and concerned regarding the reality of the situation; the voices from within Algeria seem to be saying it is no more dangerous than normal (ie: the customary bandits, traffickers, etc) whereas official channels are saying (and saying rather more strongly than the usual 'smart traveller' scare mongering) that things are very, very shaky. You all know how quickly 'very shaky' can turn into full blown nightmare in the Sahel. It seems poised on a knife edge. I am planning to carry on with my walk in September in Algeria (at least with the planning of it) but remain concerned that circumstances will explode into outright chaos before then. On the other hand, if I had heeded official advice regarding where it is and isn't safe to walk, I would probably never have left England. But there is no point in deliberately walking into an unravelling nightmare, so I am at least agreeing to bypassing both Mali and NIger for the time being, and commencing on the Algerian side of the border.

I have never received such blunt and forceful communiques regarding security in the region before, and they cause me to stop and seriously consider what is actually happening.

I know there are no guarantees or certainties. But I am curious to know what everyone else is hearing on the grapevine.

Regards
Paula

__________________
Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time