Government warning over terrorism in Mali

Published: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:06:33

The government has issued a warning urging tourists not to visit Timbuktu in northern Mali because of the threat of terrorism. The foreign office said they believed kidnapping was 'likely', following the death of British tourist Edwin Dyer in Mali in June, by a group with links to al-Qaeda. A message to travellers from the Foreign Office said: "There is a high threat from terrorism. Terrorists have been involved in kidnaps in the region and we believe that further kidnap attacks are likely.

"A group of European tourists were kidnapped in the area of the Mali-Niger border near Menaka on January 22nd 2009 and a British national who was part of this group was later murdered. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers."

The foreign office is advising against travel to the provinces of Mali north of the River Niger from Mopti. This includes the provinces of Kidal, Gao, Koulikoro (north of Mourdiah), Segou (north of Niono), Tombouctou (including the city of Tombouctou (Timbuktu)), areas bordering Mauritania east of Nioro in the Kayes province, and the north of Moptio province (north of the town of Douentza).

However, local residents in Mali say there is no threat to tourists, insisting the warning from the foreign office is exaggerated.

Add our news to your site

Be the first to comment

Add your comments

	Name:
	Email: Your email address will not be published
	Town & Country:
	Your comments:
	Please enter the characters displayed on the image

Other News

	Rabies warning as Europe loosens pet passport rules Vets have today warned that moves by the European Commission to loosen controls on pet passports could see the return of rabies to the UK.
	Anti-government Thai protestors make 'blood sacrifice' Thai protestors demanding the dissolution of parliament have fulfilled a pledge to spill hundreds of gallons of their own blood before the gates of Government House in Bangkok.
	Airline bomb plotter's wife cleared of failing to inform police The wife of the ringleader of a plot to blow up transatlantic aircraft has been found not guilty of failing to pass on information that would have been useful in preventing an act of terrorism.

Articles by month