How interesting. An exodus of battle-trained Tuareg from Gaddafi's old army could finally rid north Mali of its scourge. They may well simply move in on some of AQIM's current operations, but as long as that's limited to smuggling and not kidnapping foreigners, tourists may overlook their recent alliances.

Ch

PS: I recall tracking down Adrar Tigharghar before. It's here where a failed French raid last year tried to free M. Germaneau (kidnapping #11) who was later declared shot in the crossfire/killed in retaliation (but probably died of ill health - a less useful story to both sides at the time).

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

How about this scenario - touaregs chase the islamists out of the desert and liberate the hostages, found in good shape.
Now THAT would make Bamako (and the Algies) look like fools. And juice up touareg claim to ownership of the desert.
Hehe - can dream can't I.
But it could happen.

Is this new news? Will there be a build up of security forces in the region to oversee the project?

Algeria's Sonatrach vows Mali oil drilling by mid 2012 | News by Country | Reuters

Who provides security in the Taoudenni basin? Are there any Malian military in the region?

Mauretanian Aqim member arrested in Niger
Niger: Militant with 'ties to killers' of French engineer arrested - Adnkronos Security

I do not think there are military in Taoudenni. The Mali military wanted to charge a colleague of mine about 30K euros for a military escort to the salt mine there.

Chinese oil companies also moving in, promising to find Mali's first producing wells shortly
RECHERCHES PETROLIERES: Petroplus Angola promet du pétrole aux Maliens | L'AUBE
There's gold up there, too - but no military? What is ATT thinking?

French arms deals with ten African countries, including Mali, Mauretania, Niger
http://af.reuters.com/article/maurit...7LQ3DA20111026

14 dead as Niger clashes with convoy from Libya | News by Country | Reuters

I think we have the answer in the contracts that were signed between the Malian and Algerian presidents for oil drilling in Taoudenni.
Algeria is seizing the moment and is planning to expand their interests in the region. They will fill the vacuum left by Khadaffi's departure. The winners will be the touaregs - and in return, they will promise not to start another rebellion. The loosers: Aqim
Algeria eyes investment in northern Mali (Magharebia.com)
"It would be illogical that Algeria venture to invest in the less secure part of the basin, which links Mali, Algeria and Mauritania, without having first established a plan to deal with these challenges," he added.

According to regional analyst Hammadi Ag Ali, the security concerns are exaggerated.

"These are unjustified fears because Touaregs in the end are a group of people who have specific demands, some of which are related to a desire to secede, while others are related to demands for more development," he explained. "If we assume that the group demanding separation is dominating the scene, then there must be some sort of a rear support after the fall of Kadhafi. That support will certainly be the Algerian state."

"Algeria will venture to invest its money in the Taoudeni basin only after it gets guarantees from the actors in that area, who are primarily the Touaregs," he continued. "As for al-Qaeda, their threat will decrease as Touaregs' influence increases because the latter will tighten the noose on them if they threaten their interests."

I found this most interesting. Let's see how it pans out. Niger may be another story entirely - or not. Perhaps they will make a similar deal.