Algeria

Overall country Risk Rating: 

 

CC -The country has several areas that should not be visited. Other areas can be visited taking appropriate advice. There is a high corruption risk affecting all personnel. HSE risk is medium within non oil and gas premises. Low within Oil and gas facilities. There is a culture of HSE regulation in country but it is not well enforced.

 

 

 

 

 

Genvisec advises against all travel to areas within 450km of the Mali and Niger borders, with the exception of Tindouf town and Tamanrasset city. Within100km of the Mauritania border

100km of the Libya and Tunisia borders south of the town of Souk Ahras.

 

 

Advise against all but essential travel to:

 

Tamanrasset city

In Amenas

Tindouf town

the provinces of Boumerdès, Bouira and Tizi Ouzou east of Algiers

If you’re travelling to In Amenas or Tamanrasset city, you should do so by air.

 

You should take great care in the remaining areas of the provinces of Adrar, Tamanrasset and Illizi which are not specifically covered above, and the provinces of Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bejaia and Skikda east of Algiers, due to the ongoing threat from terrorism.

 

There is a high threat from terrorism in Algeria. A serious terrorist attack took place on 16 January 2013 at a gas installation near the town of In Amenas near the Algerian border with Libya. On 19 April 2014 terrorists attacked the Algerian army in Tizi Ouzou, killing 11 people. Terrorists have been involved in kidnaps in Algeria and the wider Sahel region, and further kidnaps are likely.

 

It is generally safe to move around Algiers and the other main cities, but you should avoid areas that you don’t know, especially after dark. There has been a sustained period of violent clashes in the town of Ghardaia since December 2013. 

 

There are frequent demonstrations. Most are peaceful, but some have involved clashes between police and demonstrators. 

 

Avoid travel by road at night outside the major cities. 

 

Sahel region

There’s a very real threat of kidnap to westerners in the Sahel and surrounding region. The Sahel region includes Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The kidnap threat extends to other countries including Algeria, Cameroon, Libya and Nigeria. The threat has increased following the military intervention in Mali which began in January 2013. Further attacks are highly likely.

 

There are currently around 6 hostages being held in the Sahel and surrounding region, some of whom are still being detained. Victims in the regionhave included construction workers, NGO workers, tourists and diplomats of various nationalities, primarily European. Some hostages have been killed, including 9 British nationals since 2009.

 

The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage-taking and finances terrorist activity. The Terrorism Act (2000) also makes payments to terrorists illegal.

 

Who are the terrorists?

 

The terrorist threat in the Sahel and surrounding region comes from a number of groups, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M) and Al Murabitun, a merger of the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA) and Mokhtar Belmokhtar’s group. These terrorist groups aspire to establish Islamic law in the region and to attack Western interests.

 

The groups carry out kidnappings of Westerners for financial gain, prisoner exchange and to exert political pressure on governments. Kidnapping for ransom is AQ-M’s primary source of finance.

 

AQ-M and regional Islamist groups operate in the border areas of northern Mali, Niger and Algeria. They have proven capability of travelling long distances to carry out attacks, including in Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Criminal gangs also carry out kidnappings for terrorist groups in return for financial payment.

 

Terrorist groups in the region have also kidnapped 16 westerners in Cameroon and Nigeria since December 2012.

 

Working in the region

 

If you do choose to work in an area where Genvisec advise against travel due to the high threat of kidnapping, you will need a high level of security. 

 

Festivals

 

A number of festivals take place in the Sahel every year. If you’re planning to attend a festival in the region, you should consult the Genvisec country travel advice and check whether it is in an area where Genvisec advise against travel.

 

A British national was among a group of tourists kidnapped from the Mali-Niger border after attending a festival in Mali in 2009. He was killed some months later.

 

Rally racing

 

If you’re taking part in a cross-country rally that travels through the Sahel and surrounding region, you should be aware of the high risk of kidnapping in parts of the region.

 

Some rallies in the 2012-13 season were cancelled or rerouted because of the risk. One of the most famous rallies in the region, the Paris-Dakar Rally, now takes place in South America due to the threat of kidnap. However, other rallies may go through areas where Genvisec advises against travel. You should consult our country travel advice when planning your route.

 

If you do choose to take part in a rally that travels through areas where Genvisec advise against travel, make sure you:

 

regularly consult our travel advice for all countries you will be going through

take particular care in remote regions and border areas where there’s a higher threat of kidnap

don’t share your route publicly as this could make you more vulnerable to attacks

satisfy yourself with your individual security arrangements

maintain a high level of vigilance at all times

have adequate insurance cover; medical evacuation from a remote location could cost you thousands of pounds if you’re not covered.

 

 

Recent kidnap attacks

 

Cameroon: on 14 November 2013, a French national was kidnapped in Far North Province

Mali: on 2 November 2013, 2 French journalists were abducted and killed in the north eastern town of Kidal

Cameroon: on 19 February 2013, 7 French tourists were kidnapped in Far North province near the Nigeria border; they were released on 18 April 2013

Nigeria: on 16 February 2013 a British national was kidnapped along with 6 other foreign nationals in Bauchi state; they are believed to have been killed

Algeria: on 16 January 2013, a number of foreign workers were taken hostage at a gas installation near the town of In Amenas, close to the border with Libya; a number of British nationals were killed in the attack

Nigeria: in December 2012, a French national was kidnapped in Katsina state; he escaped on 17 November 2013

Nigeria: in May 2012, a Lebanese national was kidnapped in Kaduna state; he is still being held

Nigeria: in January 2012, a German national was kidnapped in Kano; he was killed some months later

Mali: on 21 November 2012 a French national was kidnapped near the town of Kayes, close to the Senegal/Mauritania border; he is still being held

Mali: on 15 April 2012, a Swiss national was kidnapped in Timbuktu; she was released on 24 April 2012

Mali: on 4 April 2012, 7 Algerian diplomats were kidnapped in Gao; three of them were released on 5 July 2012

Mauritania: on 20 December 2011, Mauritanian military police were attacked in Adel Begrou, Mauritania, near the Mali border; one Gendarme was kidnapped in the attack and was held for almost 3 months before being released

Mali: on 25 November 2011, 4 tourists were attacked in Timbuktu; one was killed and 3 others kidnapped; they are still being held

Mali: on 24 November 2011, 2 French nationals were kidnapped in the town of Hombori, to the north east of Mopti; one was killed in March 2013; the other is still being held

 

Air travel

 

A list of incidents and accidents can be found on the website of the  Aviation Safety network.

 

Genvisec offer's advice on the safety of individual airlines provding a list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices.

 

Health

 

Contact your Doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. 

 

Facilities at private clinics are usually better than at government hospitals. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.

 

 

Emergency numbers in Algeria are:

 

17 for the police, or 021 – 73 53 50 from a mobile

 

14 for the fire brigade, or 021 – 71 14 14 from a mobile

 

021 – 23 63 81 or 021 – 021 – 71 14 14 for an ambulance

 

Reliability and response time of emergency services vary. Emergency operators may or may not speak French and normally do not speak English. In some regions they may not respond due to poor capacity.

 

In the event of a medical emergency you can call an ambulance, but you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Money

 

The use of ATMs and credit cards is confined to a limited number of hotels and other businesses in the larger cities. Only exchange money at bureaux de change in the international airports and larger hotels, or at banks in the main cities. Don’t change money on the streets. Algeria has strict foreign exchange laws and the Dinar can’t be exported.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Local laws reflect the fact that Algeria is a Muslim country. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

 

The weekend is on Friday and Saturday. Not all restaurants serve alcohol and alcohol is not served anywhere during Ramadan.

 

To avoid unwelcome attention women should dress modestly outside the main towns.

Possession, use and trafficking of controlled drugs are all serious criminal offences in Algeria and carry custodial sentences.

 

You don’t have to carry your passport at all times, but take it with you if you are making a longer journey. You will need your passport if travelling internally by air. Keep a photocopy somewhere safe.

 

Homosexuality is illegal in Algeria. Sexual acts between people of the same sex are punishable by imprisonment.

 

Don’t attempt to take photos of any government building or security installation. This includes police and police checkpoints.

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