Situation in Mauritania since 29Nov09?

[ChrisUK]

Hi
Sorry for writing in English. I am English, but can read German, hence your replies will be understood.

I didn’t want to hijack this thread on the hostage kidnap: http://wuestenschiff.de/phpbb/viewtopic ... 2&start=45
so wish to start a new thread. Has anyone travelled into/through Mauritania since the day (night) of the kidnappings? What’s the situation now in terms of security? Any change to before?

I’m monitoring the situation, but from a personal point of view... My motorbike is already in Malaga, I have a flight to Malaga booked for 18Dec09 and a flight from Dakar back to the UK booked for end of December (bike parking in Gambia). My plan was (and still is) to transit Mauritania down the main coast road, right past where it happened.

I intend to ride in the daylight only.

This might seem like a very silly question: How busy is the main Atlantic highway? Do you see a car every minute, every hour, 5 cars all day?

Thank you for any input.

Auf Deutsch: Wie ist jetzt die Sicherheitssituation in Mauritanien seit der Entfuehrung der 3 Spanier?

Ride and drive safely,
Chris

[Alexander]

Hi Chris,

welcome in our community It is no problem at all writing English.
I hope, you will find your anwers.

Have fun

Alexander

[Coco und Jens]

Hi Chris,

if you like to chat to someone, who may know, contact Justus Buma, who runs a 4x4-place in Mauretania and talks to loads of travellers every day.

http://www.bab-sahara.com/

I know, that he is not on the costline .... but he surely has better infos !
Most of the useres here will drive south soon, but maybe just a few are down there at the moment and online ...

Best regards and many happy travels !

Have a safe trip !

[Sanguru]

quote: "This might seem like a very silly question: How busy is the main Atlantic highway? Do you see a car every minute, every hour, 5 cars all day?"

===========

Since there are only stupid answers, not questions, I try to make sure that you have no reason to worry. None at all. Unless you recommend I do not visit London and travel by "tube". I guess you understand, what I am trying to say.

You are travelling a long way, you travel to Africa, "cross" the Sahara (so to speak) and then get frightened because some Spaniards are kidnapped? Frankly? Yes, that was a silly question (if you already admit to it, you won't be mad at me confirsming your statement). Mauritania is as safe as any other place is ...WRONG! Mauritania is 1001 times safer - statistics proof that - that 99% of the rest of the globe - including Tonga!

How many cars you'll possibly see between Nouadhibou and Nouakchott?
Certainly more than 5 an hour. More like 50-100 per hour, I might say!

For you to put my words in perspective: I travelled that road 6 times in 6 different years, always between December and January, but not since November 2009. But, common, what do you think might have changed? I tell you what. NOTHING! No thing at all has changed and never will, except for some forums, where more security-questions are raised!

If you're really scared, wait for me. I travel that road by the end of February 2010. You know, there is some golden rule on safety. It's never as save as the weeks following a bomb-blast!

Tell possible kidnappers you're Scottish. They might understand what that means...!

If you think now I just tried to make fun of you, you are....no!!, wrong you are! I just tried to show you the bright side of cruising Mauritania. Trust me, you are - there - as safe as it gets. VERY SAFE! Now certainly more than before the kidnapping!

Sanguru

[ChrisUK]

How many cars you'll possibly see between Nouadhibou and Nouakchott?
Certainly more than 5 an hour. More like 50-100 per hour, I might say!

Sanguru

Thank you for your answer.

I've written to Justus and have read one or 2 useful (for me) comments on the main thread, including by SilviaR who drove down the road since 29Nov09.

The same topic is being discussed at: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/s ... ov09-46871

Enjoy your trip in 2010.

Chris

[Coco und Jens]

Sanguru, thanxxxxxx

thats just what we think as well .... I am working at the frankfurt airport - which might be very dangerous these days. But I still go to work every day.

Statistically it is now very safe in West-Africa just after the kidnapping ....

We just received a mail from Justus Buma and he still feels safe down there - so I am looking forward to this great adventure !

We may be at the wrong time at the wrong place all over the world ...

Life is too short to sit at home and wait for our last breath ....

To all: Have a very safe and great journey !!!!

[ChrisUK]

Many thanks for everybody that’s posted in answer to my original question.

I’ve decided to cancel my West Africa trip in light of the security situation and will instead do a road trip round Morocco and re-park the bike in southern Spain and fly home from there.

There’s a variety of reasons listed below:

* I’ve been to and ridden in some dubious parts of the world, but never thought the outcome could end in kidnap and beheading (I have a passport from the same country as the poor Edwin Dyer). Other nationalities also run the risk of kidnap, but for whatever reason, most end up getting set free alive. Now having a wife and family also affects my judgement.

* I try to ride in the daylight, if at all possible: To help avoid dodgy car drivers, pedestrians, animals, potholes, debris on the road that might be less visible at night. The thought of having to be on the lookout for pr*cks with AK47s is too much, day or night

* The plan for me was to park the bike in Gambia and return later and ride to Timbuktu. That part of West Africa/Sahara also currently enjoys a dubious reputation and I really don’t need the bullsh*t involved in a trip there.

* FCO advice ( http://ukinmorocco.fco.gov.uk/en/newsro ... d=21412725 )(no UK issued insurance policy will be valid if the FCO has said don't go)

* The bike will now likely do a one way trip to eastern Russia in 2011 or 2012


I hope the 3 Spaniards and the Frenchman get set free soon. My thoughts are with them and their friends and families.

If you’re in Morocco over Christmas, look out for the scabbiest of scabby black Honda Transalps. The only definite on the itinerary is a visit to Marrakesh. Other than that, it depends on the weather.

Ride and drive safely,
Chris