Saharan Kidnappings Map

August 2010

Information below is not necessarily endorsed by the countries or organisations 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, or passed on to an Islamist militia; the former Algerian GSPC now re-named Al Qaeda of the Islamic Maghreb, and eventually released for ransom following captivity in northeast Mali where the main, semi-autonomous AQIM groups are mostly thought to be based - the green dot on the map. The payment of ransoms is usually denied by the countries concerned.
To date two hostages, a Briton in June 2009 and a Frenchman in July 2010 have dies in captivity - the Briton was executed, the Frenchman probably died, but it was claimed he was executed in response to a raid to free him. French civilians were also shot and killed in Mauritania (Aleg, December 2007), an American was shot and killed 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 (Kabylie) being another base of the GSPC/AQIM where locals are frequently kidnapped for ransom and bombings are frequent.

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 €4.6m ransom in August 2003 in northeast Mali. One German woman died in captivity.

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

3. October 2007 - Tibesti, northwest Chad
American missionary near Zoumri by MDJT (rebels) as a spy
(despite being based there for many years).
Released in July 2008 near Bardai. " ... no ransom was paid and
no concessions of any type were made to secure his release,"

4. March 2008 - south Tunisia
Two Austrians driving in the Grand Erg dunes.
Released in November 2008 in northeast Mali for ransom.

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. December 2008 - Highway north of Niamey, Niger near Mali border
Canadian UN envoy and his party from a moving car.
Released in April 2009 in northeast Mali for €5m ransom.

7. January 2009 - east Mali near Niger border
Two Swiss, 1 German and 1 Briton on an organised tour.
All held in northeast Mali. Two women released in April with the Canadian (6).
The Briton, Edwin Dyer, was executed in June and the German released for ransom in July.

8. November 2009 - east Mali
A Frenchman from outside his hotel in Menaka - 'sold on' to AQIM?
Freed in northeast Mali late February 2010 following the controversial release of AQIM prisoners by a Malian court, much to Algeria and Mauritania's displeasure.
€5m ransom payment denied by France.

9. November 2009 - Mauritanian trans-Sahara highway, south of Nouadhibou
Three Spanish aid volunteers from the end of a moving convoy.
The woman was released in mid-March for 'health reasons and after converting to Islam'. After nearly 9 months the two men were released in northeast Mali in August 2010. It immediately followed the release from a Mauritanian prison of the individual who had been hired to kidnap the group. The payment of an €8m ransom was also confirmed a day or two later.

10. December 2009 - south Mauritania at the Mali border
Two Italian nationals hijacked from their van.
Released north of Gao in mid-April. Reports of an €8m ransom and concessions denied.

11. April 2010 - northwest Niger
A 78-year-old French national and his Algerian driver seized near In-Abangaret well,
150km south of Assamaka. The Algerian driver was abandoned a week later in northeast Mali where the Frenchman was held captive. A couple of weeks later it was reported the driver was either arrested or extradited from Algeria back to Niger, accused of involvement with the kidnap and later released.
Michele Germaneau was reported to have been executed in July by GSPC/AQIM, following a failed French-Mauritanian operation to release him, though it's probable he actually died in captivity some time weeks. More news here under 'July 26-7'.