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

Bad news. Together with rumors of banning vehicles older than 5 years - worse still:( Planned to go Mauri again this winter, now hesitating :(

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).

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

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

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.:wink3:

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

Hi,

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

Do you mean Chinguetti and Oudane or areas further NE?
Do you mean the pistes East of Nema direct to Timbuktu or
you mean the Nema>Nara>Sokolo>Nanpala>Lere... ?


p

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

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

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 !!!!

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.

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

So they now only give 3 day transit visa on Morocco-Mauritania border? 2 years ago I got full visa there.

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