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warning for Mauritania warning for Mauritania
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 23 Aug 2007
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Exclamation warning for Mauritania
Hi,


Al Qaeda au Maghreb as threatned to kidnap foreigners in Mauritania:

Al Qaeda au Maghreb menace les Occidentaux de rapt en Mauritanie : Nouakchott met en garde les ambassades occidentales - Mauritanie - Terrorisme - Afrique


José
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  #2  
Old 23 Aug 2007
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Bad news. Together with rumors of banning vehicles older than 5 years - worse still Planned to go Mauri again this winter, now hesitating
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  #3  
Old 24 Aug 2007
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Looks like some high-end politics are being made:

Nouakchott dismisses terrorist threats on Westerners [23/08/2007]

found through www.panapress.com the press-organistion which released the original statement which José points to at [22/08/2007]
see panapress>country info>mauritania
Much more info can be found on their site, but you have to subscribe (probably as a journalist/newsmedium).
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  #4  
Old 24 Aug 2007
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Mauri problems
Thanks for the info Sophie-Bart,

Both stories are more than little worrying from a personal point of view as I will be heading south through Mauritania in the early part of next year in my 1986 Landrover, one which is well over the five year-old cut off.

I will of course have my carnet for the vehicle, but will this act as enough insurance for the authorities to allow me to pass through their country or am I likely to be stopped in my tracks?

Does anyone have any confirmed experience that this now the norm when getting to the border or is it just a rumour which has been doing the rounds for a while?

Keeping a low profile while travelling through some of these countries is always a good idea when having the misfortune of UK registered plates on the front and back. I will be removing my Union Jack sticker on the rear before departing.

Be interested to hear people's opinions on the situation.

Ben
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  #5  
Old 24 Aug 2007
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Hi Ben,


As far as I know, a carnet will allow you to get in even with the 5 year law applying.

As for the threats, I would say that if there is any risk, it will be in the remote areas NE of Atar and the dodgy area E of Nema. I think that there is no real problem in all other areas.

I'm also planning to go in October to Mauritania.
Better follow forthcoming news.


Cheers,
José
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  #6  
Old 24 Aug 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bensouthall View Post
....Keeping a low profile while travelling through some of these countries is always a good idea when having the misfortune of UK registered plates on the front and back. I will be removing my Union Jack sticker on the rear before departing....
While keeping a low profile is always apropriat I wouldn't worrie to much about that, you will always be seen as a foreigner/traveller/tourist/guest.
Especialy when the driver sits on the wrong side of the road.
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Old 24 Aug 2007
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Smile All good
Well that certainly puts my mind at ease on both counts, the carnet situation especially as it would have been a real mission-stopper had it not been the case!

With regards to the security situation my planned journey takes us down the west coast route anyway so will be staying well away from Atar and Nema.

Thanks for the reassurance

Ben
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  #8  
Old 24 Aug 2007
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Hi,

I'm also planning to go to Rim and Mali later this year.

Quote:
Originally Posted by José Brito View Post
Hi Ben,
As for the threats, I would say that if there is any risk, it will be in the remote areas NE of Atar
Do you mean Chinguetti and Oudane or areas further NE?
Quote:
Originally Posted by José Brito View Post
and the dodgy area E of Nema.
Do you mean the pistes East of Nema direct to Timbuktu or
you mean the Nema>Nara>Sokolo>Nanpala>Lere... ?


p
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Old 24 Aug 2007
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Hello,

for the carnet Mafra wrote an email to the mauretanien ambassade in Berlin with the question if the carnet is necessary for cars older than 5 years or not.

The answer from the ambassade in Berlin:

"There ist no more a carnet on the border necessary, but the policeman sometimes want to see it."

So, folks, think, when it is end of the month .....

Best wishes

Ulrich
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Old 24 Aug 2007
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Hi P,


NE of Atar - I would say even further away, like NE of Fort Ghallaouiya

Nema - I don't think that Mauri-Mali via Nara or Lere is a problem. When I passed this January via Lere everything was calm. I asked around in the police and douane in Nema, and everybody was positive about this route. However, at the douane, they warn me about doing Nema-Timbuktu directly. The officer was a bit evasive, but advised not to go direct, but instead do the southern detour (via Bassikounou).


Cheers,
José
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  #11  
Old 25 Aug 2007
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Do we really need a carnet ?
I'm setting of to Ghana on in October and as far as I was aware, the only country that may ask for it is Ghana and apparantly I could blag my way in.
Our route takes us through Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo.
So do you reckon that I really need one for Mauritania?
Thanks
Ian

PS
I am having more trouble with deciding about a carnet than anything else !!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by José Brito View Post
Hi Ben,


As far as I know, a carnet will allow you to get in even with the 5 year law applying.

As for the threats, I would say that if there is any risk, it will be in the remote areas NE of Atar and the dodgy area E of Nema. I think that there is no real problem in all other areas.

I'm also planning to go in October to Mauritania.
Better follow forthcoming news.


Cheers,
José
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  #12  
Old 25 Aug 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ianrichards121 View Post
.
So do you reckon that I really need one for Mauritania?
Thanks
Ian

PS
I am having more trouble with deciding about a carnet than anything else !!!!
You certainly don't need one currently. Clearly that might change - until then it's a case of keeping a close eye on things.

Remembering that this is Mauri, it's quite possible that any new rules will be fixed in the local sand.
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  #13  
Old 27 Aug 2007
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Ive just got back from Senegal and I can confirm that you do NOT need a carnet. Two of the bikes were older than 5 years old. You just fill in a customs form saying that you are a thoroughly good sport and promise to take the vehicle with you when you leave and you buy insurance (18 euros I think it was). Thats it.

We met up with some 4x4s who also said the visa renewal at Nouakchott was a pain in the arse. you need to get a longer one beforehand or cross in under 3 days to avoid this.
bob
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  #14  
Old 27 Aug 2007
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So they now only give 3 day transit visa on Morocco-Mauritania border? 2 years ago I got full visa there.
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Old 29 Aug 2007
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Visa in Casablanca
Takes two days now (used to be the same day), all more complicated, new forms, lots more questions on them. Spent 3 hours there this morning (took usually not more then half an hour).
Rgds, Manfred
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