Sahara

French forces in Mail arrest 'high-ranking' jihadist

International — Link

Dadi Ould Chouaib, also known as Abou Dardar, was arrested on June 11 in the flashpoint "tri-border" region between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

by La rédaction de Mediapart

Why Africa's Great Green Wall has become Macron's latest pet cause

International

The Élysée portrays the plan to create a huge swathe of greenery across the Sahara and Sahel as the ultimate solution to the problems of unemployment, lawlessness and desertification in that part of the African continent. However, the French presidency's sudden interest in the Great Green Wall project – which was officially endorsed by the African Union back in 2007 - also has ulterior motives. And as Fanny Pigeaud reports, some experts are sceptical about its benefits.

by Fanny Pigeaud

French Sahara hostage appeals in video for negotiated release

International — Link

Serge Lazarevic, who was captured two years ago by Al Qaeda's North African wing AQIM, called for help from President Hollande.

by La rédaction de Mediapart

Sahara jihadist groups 'merge, threaten French interests'

International — Link

The groups had already jointly claimed responsibility for raids that killed dozens at a barracks and damaged a uranium mine operated by French firm.

by La rédaction de Mediapart

The energy stakes in the Sahel surrounding the war in Mali

International — Analysis

As in many recent conflicts involving Western intervention in other countries, France’s decision to wage war against Islamist militants in Mali has been accused by some as furthering its energy interests and economic investments, a suggestion that President François Hollande has unequivocally denied. Mediapart’s international affairs specialist Thomas Cantaloube finds the truth lies in between as he examines here just what are France's interests in the region. While Mali has quasi-inexistent mineral or energy resources, in the wider Sahel area, comprising the north of Mali, the east of Mauretania, Niger and parts of Algeria and Libya, the energy issue is significant.

by Thomas Cantaloube