Confusion continues over the fate of two Canadian diplomats, and four western tourists, kidnapped in Mali during recent months. Al Qaeda's North Africa branch (AQIM) has claimed it is holding the two Canadians along with four European tourists kidnapped in January.
But Niger's President Mamadou Tandja has blamed Fowler's abduction on a rebel group from the northern Niger ethnic minority of Tuareg nomads who are battling the government. Tuareg rebels from the Front For Forces of Redress retracted their initial statement claiming responsibility for the kidnapping, saying their website had been hacked. But some western intelligence officials believe the Tuaregs may have traded the hostages to al Qaeda.
Travellers are urged to check the website of the UK FCO before travelling to unfamiliar destinations. On Mali and Niger, for example, the site offers the following advice:
There is a high threat of kidnapping in both Mali and Niger. Travel in can be difficult and conditions are poor for overland travel. You should take all necessary steps to protect your safety, especially outside of main urban areas. You should have confidence in your individual security arrangements and maintain a high level of vigilance.
Kidnap Risk Reduction and Response is a full-day workshop on the forthcoming Security Management Stage 3 Course, 11-22 May 2009.
The full programme includes:
- Corporate Risk Management
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Adding Strategic Value to Security Management
- Setting a Vision for Corporate Security
- Kidnap Risk Reduction & Response
- Illicit Trade & Counterfeiting
- Product Tampering & Extortion
- Investigating Information Leaks
- Security Project Management
- IT Security – Managing Strategic Risks
- Terrorism – Future Trends and Responses
- External Liaison & Stakeholder Engagement
- Business Expansion – Security Considerations
- Security Intelligence
- Dealing with Protest Activity
- Strategic Security Management Exercise
- Multi-Site Security Management Project
Contact Janet for more information and to book a place.
