The North Africa Journal: Post-Gaddafi Analysis: Deepening Crisis Expected in the Sahel and Beyond 

Post-Gaddafi Analysis: Deepening Crisis Expected in the Sahel and Beyond
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Arezki Daoud on 06 November, 2011 01:51:00
 
Already the source of  terrorism, organized crime, failed states and misery, the
Sahel can  become an even more dangerous battleground if the affected nations’
 governments do not make a concerted effort and collaborate as a common  front.
The tragic end of the Gaddafi regime is creating a vacuum that can be  filled by
rogue elements. Although barely tolerated by a few and hated  by many, Colonel
Muamar Gaddafi was a factor of stability of sort in the  Sahel region during his
time in power. Even though he allowed illegal  trafficking to thrive in the
region, Gaddafi collaborated with the West  and his regional neighbors to keep a
close watch on terrorist activity.   His close ties with African leaders
provided him in 2008 with the  symbolically important title of King of Kings. In
the Sahara and Sahel  regions he managed to buy the loyalty of many Touareg
tribes and was  provided as a result with valuable information and actionable 
intelligence on what was happening in the region.
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