On the Shore of the Sahel

Map of the African Sahel

Sun, sand, highs in the 90s... sounds like a great place to come visit us next winter. That's the winter weather on the edge of the desert in the region we'll be living in, known as the Sahel (which is how we'll mostly refer to our location in the future). Although there's no sea to dip your feet in, the Sahel gets its name from the Arabic word for "shore." In this case it's the sparse vegetation in this semi-arid zone that identifies it as the southern shore of the desert. Again and again I'm struck by how the satellite pictures show the land turning to a lush green as soon as you look below this zone!

Unfortunately, this location and climate play a large role in the lack of development and problems for the nations of the Sahel. They've recently made the news by forming a G-5 of the Sahel co-operative structure, so their governments can coordinate their efforts in security, education, and development. I'm glad this shows they at least have on their minds the link between providing education and economic opportunities to young people which can decrease the appeal of extremist groups.

[AFP/ Mohamed Ould Elhadj] Mauritanian President hosts those from Niger, Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso