Dear Budapest-Bamako participant,
Two European citizens were taken hostage over the weekend in Mauritania. Last month 3 Spaniards were kidnapped, this time 2 Italian were taken by radical extremists. They've been probably been transported to Mali just like all the other hostages in the past few years. Al-Qaeda's North African organization has claimed responsibility for both incidents.
In the past the intention of the hostage takers was to demand money from foreign governments for their citizens. In addition to cigarette and weapons smuggling kidnapping has become a lucrative industry in the region. The criminals operate around the porous borders of eastern Mauritania and western Mali.
What does this mean to participants of the rally? The Budapest-Bamako is exposed to these type of dangers every year. Unfortunately the situation has gotten worse over the past few weeks.
We do everything possible to obtain the maximum protection from the local authorities. We are in daily contact with the security departments of the Mauritanian and Mali governments. The Mauritanian authorities have confirmed that we will receive the highest possible level of military protection just like in the past two years. In addition to armed military guards and desert modified tactical vehicles and an army plane will monitor the rally as well. The end stage camps (bivouacs) will receive around the clock military guard and both the adventure and the race category will have several armed escorts. This way participants of the rally will be a much tougher target of evil doers than a regular tourist. The issue of rally security and tourism is a serious matter of national reputation of this Saharan nation that has seen its tourist industry destroyed in the past year.
ATTENTION! The extreme security doesn't mean that you don't have to follow strict security rules and restrictions on your own. Here are the most important points:
a) Do not drive at night! Both kidnappings took place at night.
b) Do not deviate from the official route.
c) Do not camp just anywhere. Always stay at the official camps, and check-in at the staff of Budapest-Bamako.
d) If you are lost or get separated from the rest of the teams please go to the nearest military, police or gendermaire check point. Also call the rally's official mauritanian security line. It'll be provided later.
e) One person must attended the morning briefings in Mauritania to hear the latest security updates. The situation is constantly changing.
f) Do not picnic by the side of the road. Don't be a visible target! Do not provoke the locals! Avoid crowds! Do not flaunt your wealth.
g) Be serious on giving out the FICHÉ. Give information of your team on every checkpoint so in case of trouble it is easier to localize your position.
Be prepared that there will be changes in the official route in Mauritania, but they'll only be announced during the daily briefings.
If you are driving back form Mauritania we recommend forming a convoy. We will alert the Mauritanian armed forces about the convoy. All arrangements will be announced about the convoy soon. Who may return on a different time and route: please give us your route and estimated time of crossing the border!
In conclusion, our top priority is everyone's safety and security. However the current situation has to be treated seriously by all of us. It's in your best interest to follow and obey the security rules. Even though we'll have top notch protection, the dangers are real. We urge all participants to carefully evaluate the risks associated with the current situation.
Sincerely,
Bamako Office
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