05.01.12 Sahara Focus January issue: Table of contents

SPOTLIGHT

  • Algerian forces enter Mali; Tight-lipped government; Media reporting; Invoking Algeria's constitution; Iyad ag Aghaly embarrasses the DRS; From salafism to jihadism

KIDNAPPINGS

  • Hombori and Timbuktu: The two men were reported to be geologists
  • Tindouf kidnappings a mystery: Various commentators have noted that this proliferation of jihadi groups suggests a growing competition for ransoms
  • Hostage tally:12 Western hostages were still in captivity in northwestern Africa

LIBYAN EFFECT

  • Sahara–Sahel security: The arms flow
  • Impact on Mali: Returning Tuareg fighters; The new political movements of Azawad; Will the MNLA take up arms? The risk to foreign investments
  • New Saharan provinces in Mali: This move is in accordance with the intention to increase the number of provinces from 8 to 19 over five years
  • Impact on Mauritania: Wagadou Forest attack; Al-Qa'ida crackdown pretext
  • Impact on Niger: Niger government is more willing to integrate returning Tuareg fighters from Libya into its security forces
  • Impact on the Libyan Sahara: Consequences for the Tuareg
  • Threat from the drugs trade: The key hub in Libya is believed to be Tazurbu

ALGERIA

  • Tuareg unrest: A visa if invited? But no invitation; Government response
  • Algeria appoints new security chief: Tartag is the country's bloodiest general and
    regarded as a hardliner among hardliners

OIL & MINING

  • Niger becomes an oil producer: The Soraz refinery will initially draw crude via a 700km pipeline
  • Areva to monitor worker health: The announcement was made on 6th December
    Question over Imouraren mine.