It is not Ulrich's responsibility to give security advice to travellers, especially when the situation changes frequently and by region.

There is sufficient information available on this site and elsewhere to make a decision if you are willing to make a decision yourself...I personally would not go--the world is full of interesting places to visit--but I'm sure that others will be fully comfortable...

Developping news:

Mali rejects al-Qaeda demands
2010-02-09

Mali will not concede to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's demands to free four jailed terrorists in exchange for French hostage Pierre Camatte, AFP reported on Monday (February 8th), citing security sources in Bamako. Among the 4 prisoners is an Algerian said to be a "high-ranking" AQIM member. Last Friday, al-Qaeda extended the deadline for executing Camatte to February 20th.

In related news, the $5 million ransom demanded by AQIM for three kidnapped aid workers should arrive in Mali from Spain this week, Spanish daily El Mundo reported on Monday. Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's son, Seif al-Islam, will reportedly mediate the exchange.


from: Mali rejects al-Qaeda demands (Magharebia.com)

__________________
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Today no more than this:
maliweb - Le fils de Kaddafi paye 5 millions de dollars pour la libération de ses otages espagnols au Mali

Gogoonisch - E

Regards

Ulrich

So while Bouteflika is striving to get a UN ban on ransom payments, Qaddafi is the errand boy delivering the cash.

".. further strained relations between Tripoli and Algiers...According to Algerian newspaper, An Nahar, the Algiers authorities "have been hampered by the intrusion of Tripoli..."

Here's hoping that definitive military action is taken as soon as kidnapping season is over.

Mali : une video, "nouvelle preuve de vie" des otages espagnols d'Al-Qaeda - Temoust.org

Google Translation

Ulrich

...have been hampered by the intrusion of Tripoli...

You'd think so wouldn't you, but one could say what has the Spanish deal got to do with Algeria? (Other than quite a lot when you consider the provenance of most of AQIM). Was Alg able/prepared to free them in a raid?
And anyway, up till know were we not told by Euro govts "no ransom was ever paid for anything!"?
So assuming €5m is on the way, isn't this the first time a govt [Spanish] has been open about paying up?

Libya was said to have helped catch and hand over 'El Para' to Alg at the end of the 2003 event. (El Para's loyalties and motives have been disputed of course...). Either way, I think Libya loves getting involved in their neighbours' misfortunes. It makes them look important loclly and all helps with their ongoing global rehab (eg: I hear the Dakar Rally may return there next year).

I heard too that a Libyan ship got grabbed off Somali last week. I wonder if they'll deal with that one any differently than anyone else?

Ch

The five million dollars required ... took the road to Mali, according to Spanish newspaper

I wonder if that means literally or is just the way it was translated. I have been told that parts of southwestern Algeria are temporarily closed (as the Gilf seems to be too, though for who knows what reason). If it's related to the €5m in overland transit (from Tam or more likely BBM airports), it suggests a level of co-operation from Alg, contrary to what the An Nahar paper said. Only more speculation...

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No stop of hostage-taking in Mauretania
ANI - Enlévement de deux personnes par des hommes armés prés de Oualata

Regards

Ulrich

Car theft, not a kidnapping for ransom.

Qadaffi may resolve it in his own way and more efficiently than the west.

L'Expression - Kouchner sur la liste noire

Gogoonisch - E

Ulrich

Reuters - Al-Qaeda deadline for French hostage expires Saturday

Ulrich

maliweb - Chronique du vendredi : J-1 et l’angoisse !

Gogoonisch - E

Ulrich

maliweb - Audience extraordinaire du 18 février portant sur l’affaire des éléments de l’AQMI au tribunal de la commune III : Les quatre terroristes jugés puis libérés

Gogoonisch - E

Ulrich

So Kouchner got his way. Good news for mr Camatte.
Seems only the Italian need to be cleared.
That was the good news.

The bad -
If there's no military follow up, the next season will be as bad or likely worse.

No word about the hostages yet. Italian media seems to presume that the Italian couple will also be released. Perhaps all hostages will be free within a week?
What will happen next? Is kidnapping season over and we can all travel freely for a while?

Mali frees al Qaeda prisoners in hostage swap | World | Reuters

"Mali frees al Qaeda prisoners in hostage swap
Sat Feb 20, 2010 1:49pm GMT Print | Single Page [-] Text [+]
By Tiemoko Diallo

BAMAKO (Reuters) - Mali authorities have released four Islamist prisoners in an apparent deal with al Qaeda's north African wing to save a French hostage, according to a Mali newspaper report.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) had said France and Mali would be "responsible" for the life of Pierre Camatte, who was kidnapped in Mali in November, unless Bamako released the Islamist prisoners by February 20.

A report in Mali's Independant newspaper Friday said a court in Bamako had sentenced the four prisoners -- who were captured by security forces in April -- Thursday morning only to the time they had already served, tantamount to a release."

I don't think so, taking hostages would become an ongoing feature.

Why?

- Protection of themselfes for not being attacked from different armys
- money is always an arguement, also for imitators or free acting groups which sell tourist to the so called Al Qaeda, better, the criminals.

Regards

Ulrich