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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)
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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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Thumbs up positive
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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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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  #7  
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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  #8  
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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  #9  
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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  #10  
Old 11 Nov 2007
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Hi there,
I have just returned from Mauri and Mali - last week in fact (1st Nov 2007). We went in really crap cars some as old as 20-25 years. We had no visas and certainly no carnet. We had absolutely no trouble at all at any of the borders. There is always some conflict in interesting countries - use common sense, relax and enjoy - you are in Africa :-). We paid for temporary 'import' of the vehicles in all the countries we went through Morocco/Mauri and Mali. This was never more than 10 euros. In Mauri we had to pay to exit the country which was weird (3000 Ouiga - or whatever the local currency is) one of our group didn't have the cash so gave the guy a jerry can full of diesel as payment - sweet....
Mali is a fantastic country - very laid back etc. If you are going to take 'gifts' try give them to schools in Mali instead of Mauri - kids in Mauri threw stones at us, but Mali people are amazing and very friendly and helpful - they deserve it more than the Mauri's in my view.

Have a ball.
We met a guy on Triumph who burnt his clutch out in Dakhla, and a local mechanic 'made' him a replacement one which worked a treat - yup made him one!!!! go bush-mechanics go

Cheers
Andrew
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