Saharan Kidnappings Map

March 2010

Information below is not necessarily endorsed by the countries concerned.

The map below identifies the dates, locations and outcomes (where known) of the reported kidnappings of Westerners, mostly European tourists, since the first big such event in Algeria in early 2003.
In just about all cases the victims were grabbed by an Islamist militia; the former Algerian GSPC now re-named Al Qaeda of the Islamic Maghreb, and eventually released for ransom following captivity in east Mali where AQIM seem to be based. (The payment of ransoms is usually denied by the countries concerned). French civilians were also shot in Mauritania (Aleg, December 2007), an American in Nouakchott (June 2009) and several Malian and Mauritanian soldiers have lost their lives in desert skirmishes and ambushes involving AQIM.
To date there have been no kidnappings in Morocco or Libya or for many years in Algeria, despite the northeast of Algeria being a base of AQIM. None in Chad lately either, but even then not a great reason to go there at the moment.

1. Feb-March 2003 - Southeast Algeria
Thirty two European tourists in several coordinated snatches, mostly Austrians, Germans and Swiss.
Half were freed in an army raid in Algeria, the rest for ransom in August 2003 in north Mali.
One German woman died in captivity.

1a. August 2006 - Bilma Erg, northeastern Niger
Two Italians in a very remote region, probably by Tubu bandits from Chad.
Released in Libya in October 2006, probably for ransom/concessions.

2. March 2008 - South Tunisia
Two Austrians driving in the Grand Erg dunes.
Released in November 2008 for ransom in north Mali.

3. December 2008 - Highway north of Niamey, Niger near Mali border
A Canadian UN envoy and his party from a moving car.
Released in April 2009 in northeast Mali, probably for ransom.

4. January 2009 - east Mali near Niger border
Two Swiss, 1 German and 1 Briton on an organised tour.
All held in northeast Mali; the 2 women were released in April with the Canadian UN envoy (3).
The Briton was executed in June and the German released for ransom in July.

5. September 2008 - Southwest Egypt/north Sudan (Uweinat)
Tour group of 11 Europeans and 9 Egyptian crew.
All recovered a few days later in northwest Sudan
following an Egyptian army operation.

6. November 2009 - east Mali
A Frenchman from outside his hotel in Menaka who was then 'sold on' to AQIM.
Freed in east Mali late February 2010 following the controversial release of AQIM
prisoners by a Malian court, much to Algeria and Mauritania's displeasure.
France denied it had paid a ransom.

7. November 2009 - Mauritanian trans-Sahara highway, south of Nouadhibou
Three Spanish aid volunteers from the end of a moving convoy.
Currently in captivity in east Mali. The woman was released in mid-March for 'health
reasons and after converting to Islam'. Two men remain with talk of €5m ransoms.

8. December 2009 - south Mauritania at the Mali border
Two Italian nationals hijacked from their van.
Currently in captivity in east Mali. It's said the Burkinabe-born women was offered
release but would not leave her Italian-born husband.