Insecurity Rocks Increasingly Valuable Saharan Desert

The Sahara has become a much more attractive place to invest, as countries struggle to meet their energy needs. The price of uranium, used to produce nuclear energy and mined in northern Niger, has multiplied six times within the past decade. Planning has begun for a more than $10 billion Trans-Saharan natural gas pipeline, expected to pump Nigerian gas to energy-hungry neighbors by the year 2015.

As the desert’s value increases, so has its crime level.

Investigators estimate tens of millions of dollars in illegal drugs is smuggled through the desert. Recent suspected terrorist attacks in Algeria and Mauritania have killed dozens.

Nomads say they are tired of people overlooking them when rushing to claim desert resources, or to investigate crimes.

Voice of America