Posted on 12/22/2009 4:05:09 AM PST by Cindy
Mauritania government has increased security for tourists in the country following the abductions last week of two Italian tourists near the border with Mali. Sergio Cicala and his wife Philomene Kabouree were kidnapped in an area of Mauritania where armed groups with links to Al-Qaeda are known to operate, diplomats said.
There are suspicions the couple may have been smuggled into neighbouring Mali.
"After these new kidnappings, it has been decided to adopt all necessary measures to ensure the personal security of foreigners in our country," the government said, quoted on Monday by pan-Arab daily al-Quds al-Arabi.
It was the first official statement by the Mauritanian government since the kidnapping of 65-year-old Cicala and his 39-year old wife who is from Burkina Faso. She has dual Italian and Burkina Faso citizenship.
The couple's driver, from Ivory Coast, was also reportedly missing from their bullet ridden vehicle.
In a statement posted on its website late on Saturday, the Italian foreign ministry asked for media discretion "to guarantee the safety of the hostages and favour a positive solution to the case."
Eastern Mauritania, northern Mali and southern Algeria form a vast desert area where armed groups operate, some of which are known to have links to Al-Qaeda's armed branch in North Africa. There have been a number of kidnappings in the region.
(Excerpt) Read more at adnkronos.com ...
I spent a lot of time in Africa back in the day. Of all the places that are in my list of places in Africa that would NOT be visited, Mauritania would be very close to the top.
Go to Myrtle Beach for your next vacation! When will these civilians from around the world learn. Al Qaeda is alive and well in Africa and they routinely take hostages. Last time I checked no one vacationing in South Carolina has had their head removed.
Have friends that were missionaires there in 2001, the stories they tell of the locals dancing in the streets on 9/11 would be a reason I would never desire to step foot there.
Note: The following text is a quote:
https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=111784
YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Mauritania Possible Kidnapping, Extreme Caution Urged
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Sub-Saharan Africa - Mauritania
21 Dec 2009
U.S. Embassy Nouakchott issued the following Warden Message on December 21:
The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Mauritania, and urges extreme caution when traveling there. On December 19, 2009, two Italian citizens were presumed to have been kidnapped while traveling near Kobenni, in eastern Mauritania. American citizens traveling in Mauritania are encouraged to register with the American Embassy in Nouakchott and to be vigilant in their personal security precautions. Before traveling to Mauritania, American citizens should reference the U.S. Department of State’s travel warning for Mauritania issued on December 2, 2009 and available at: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4600.html.
RELATED REPORTS
8 Dec 2009
WARDEN MESSAGE: SENEGAL CAUTIONS U.S. CITIZENS NEAR MAURITANIA AND MALI BORDERS
2 Dec 2009
TRAVEL WARNING: MAURITANIA
1 Sep 2009
TRAVEL ALERT: MAURITANIA
24 Aug 2009
AQIM IN WEST AFRICA: FROM SAFE HAVEN TO BATTLEGROUND
23 Aug 2009
WARDEN MESSAGE: AL-QA’IDA THREAT TO AMERICANS IN MAURITANIA DURING RAMADAN
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4600.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Wed Dec 23 2009 00:35:22 GMT-0800 (PST).
MAURITANIA
December 02, 2009
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Mauritania, and urges extreme caution when traveling there due to increased activities by the terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). AQIM continues to demonstrate its intent and ability to conduct attacks against U.S. citizens or other foreign nationals. Most recently in a presumed terrorist action, three Spanish NGO workers were kidnapped from their vehicle while driving from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott on November 29, 2009. The U.S. Department of State also recommends against all non-essential travel to the Hodh El Charghi region, the eastern half of the Tagant region, as well as the Zemmour region of Mauritania, and strongly discourages travel to unpopulated areas of eastern Mauritania. Faith-based organizations operating in Mauritania, regardless of location, may also be particularly targeted. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Alert for Mauritania, which was issued on September 1, 2009, to remind travelers of security concerns.
As noted in the Department of State’s Worldwide Caution dated July 29, 2009, AQIM has been designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union. AQIM has declared its intention to attack Western targets.
On August 8, 2009, a suicide bombing near the French Embassy in Nouakchott injured two French guards and one Mauritanian citizen. The bomber is believed to have acted on orders from AQIM. On June 23, 2009, a private U.S. citizen was shot and killed in Nouakchott in an apparent kidnapping attempt by individuals associated with AQIM. Terrorists also killed 11 Mauritanian soldiers out on patrol approximately 40 miles from the northern town of Zouerate in September 2008. The Israeli Embassy and an adjoining nightclub frequented by Westerners were attacked in Nouakchott in February 2008. In December 2007, terrorists shot and killed four French tourists and wounded a fifth near the town of Aleg in southeastern Mauritania. Two days later, terrorists killed four soldiers near the town of El Ghallaouiya in northern Mauritania. The perpetrators of these attacks are all believed to be linked to AQIM.
As a result of these safety and security concerns, Peace Corps has temporarily suspended its volunteer program in Mauritania. The State Department, Peace Corps, and Embassy Nouakchott are continually evaluating the security situation in preparation for a return of the Peace Corps’ volunteer program at the first possible opportunity.
Travelers should avoid all non-essential travel to the Hodh El Charghi region of southeastern Mauritania, the eastern half of the Tagant region of central Mauritania (east of Tidjika) and the Zemmour region of northern Mauritania due to increased AQIM activities in these areas. Travel in the unpopulated areas of eastern Mauritania (areas east of Zouerate and Chinguetti and north of Nema) is strongly discouraged due to the threats of terrorism and banditry. U.S. Embassy staff members are authorized to travel to these regions only with Mauritarian government escorts.
U.S. citizens should not venture outside of urban areas unless in a convoy and accompanied by an experienced guide, and even then only if equipped with sturdy vehicles and ample provisions. Driving after dark outside of urban areas is also strongly discouraged. There have been reports of banditry and smuggling in the more remote parts of Mauritania. Landmines also remain a danger along the border with the Western Sahara. Travelers should cross borders only at designated border posts.
Given AQIM’s threats to attack western targets in Mauritania and the region, and due to indications of a desire to kidnap Westerners for ransom, U.S. citizens should remain aware of their surroundings at all times and maintain good personal security practices, including always locking their homes and cars, varying routes and time of travel, and avoiding drawing attention to themselves. When going out, they should avoid being part of large, highly visible groups of Westerners, and avoid sitting in areas that are easily visible from the street when in restaurants or cafes. U.S. citizens should be particularly alert when frequenting locales associated with Westerners, including cultural centers, social and recreation clubs, beach areas, and restaurants.
All U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Mauritania are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located between the Presidency building and the Spanish Embassy on Rue Abdallaye. The postal address is B.P. 222, Nouakchott, telephone (222) 525-2660/2663, 525-1141/45, or 525-3038 (ext. 5441), and fax (222) 525-1592. For after-hours emergencies, please call (222) 525-3288. The Embassy webpage is http://mauritania.usembassy.gov.
Updated information on travel and security in Mauritania may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada or, for callers outside of the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Mauritania and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.
SNIPPET - quote:
https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=120653
YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Segou (Mali) Kidnapping Threat
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Sub-Saharan Africa - Mali
13 Aug 2010
U.S. Embassy Bamako released the following Warden Message on August 13, 2010:
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako is issuing this Warden Message to warn U.S. citizens of reports of a kidnapping threat against Westerners in Segou from the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Accordingly, the Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel to Segou.
U.S. citizens who are currently in Segou should maintain good personal security practices and remain aware of their surroundings at all times, including always locking their homes and cars, varying routes and time of travel, and avoiding drawing attention to themselves. When going out, they should avoid being part of large, highly visible groups of Westerners, and should be particularly alert when frequenting locales associated with Westerners.
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