Priffe, you ask what is surely a rhetorical question "How can the South ever be stable when Alger lets the madness continue?" A question which I am sure you will agree, many will have asked since April 2003 - an important datum for this region.

The Tlemcen Mafia run a kleptocratic business based upon hydrocarbons and other natural resources with no need for tourism or evolved democracy. There is a less rhetorical question with which I know you are familiar which is why there should be more leniency in Djanet? This is likely closer to the current bearded baddies - possibly holed up just next door in the Acacus of Libya.

Personally, I tend to subscribe to the hypotheses of Keenan et al; that it suits Algiers to have some instability and that they fine-tune this from time to time. Enough trouble further south and the Red Zone is relaxed. If peace breaks out in Azawad - don't hold your breath - a new El Para, MBM, or Abou Zeid will surely emerge and reach for the Cemtex and Kalashnikovs. And so we go around.

The South, the Sahara, like all Africa and indeed the populated world is a game of musical chairs. Business has to go somewhere; if unrest breaks out in A, the trade will go to B, and terrorists to C. Pass the parcel!

I also firmly believe - although some will scoff and call it imaginative at best - that since the N1 & Reggane routes were closed, and all the traffic went to the Atlantic, Bouteflika has still wanted a route to the Atlantic himself. And that this is far more important than any trade down to Kano, Logos, Ouga' etc. Hence the recent announcement regarding the Bir Mogrein route. Far easier to get the Chinese to upgrade a railway than build a new one, and "voila" minerals from Tanezrouft, Hoggar, and Tademait can quickly be on their way to China, America, etc. C'est facile comme ca

I am thankful I have visited Le Grande Sud as many times as I have and would always encourage others to visit, especially Djabbaren & Sefar, Tadrart, or Ahnet. But there are so many wonderful places in the Sahara, and indeed in Algeria, who knows how much wonderful Rock Art is yet to be discovered and catalogued in Mauritania, for example, where independent travel is currently easier? Who will be the new Lhotse of the C21st?

Sun is shining, no rain in Oxford, time to work on my Troopy!
Salaam
Budric / Zoubir

The Algerian Atlantic option continues to ratchet around as the towns of Tindouf and Bir Moghrein (Oumghrein) sign a twinning agreement, alhamdulillah. Where next; Atar & Bechar, Nouadibhou & Oran?

Accord de jumelage entre Tindouf (Algerie ) et Bir Oumghrein ( Mauritanie) /photos

Is your suggestion that the Djanet region is being left comparatively open so as to invite trouble, almost deliberately, so that then becomes the scene of the next crack down (and another area becomes the more relaxed zone)?

Does the Algerian government really gain much from that?? Has there been any sign of trouble brewing in that area? Is it not plausible that it is simply an easier area to seal and secure for the military? That said, I was a little perplexed by a map showing a bulge of 'secure' area in the far south east, where open desert appears to stretch down over the border into Niger with no obstructions.

Wolfman,

Pure conjecture on my part but this is the way of the world, not just Africa, Sahara, Algeria or in this case the Wilaya of Illizi but baksheesh is what makes the world go around.

So, a lot easier to police if the police - police, gendarmerie, military, & DRS - are already there collecting their taxes/compensation/bribes from the traffickers on the Libya - Mali run down the Algeria - Niger border. This is a potential cross-roads except on the other axis - Djanet - Djado, Niger there is no traffic as the Djado route has been closed for ages.

Also since travel for normal souls would be difficult either NE to Ghat & Acacus, Libya or SE Djado, Niger - a lot of nothing for days, or SW down the said border, it is in effect for tourists and their guides a cul-de-sac, and even easier to police.

Finally, it may be the case, that having at least one tourist option available in the Algerian Sahara at least deflects any criticism from would-be tourists, not only Westerners and foreigners but also internal Algerians, who you will find visiting, and indeed driving down to the region.

Again - big caveat - just my conjecture, others may disagree, Keenan probably would not. I have visited Djanet twice, Tam' twice, Algeria three times, the Sahara eight times, Africa about a dozen times, and have taken and continue to take an interest in the security of the Maghreb, Shara, and Sahel since April 2003, as I say, an important datum.

My suggestion for you is simple and twofold: if you wish to visit Algeria in particular give your self more time, it is worthwhile, beautiful, diverse, fascinating country and the same can be said for the peoples. Time wil help with the research and bureacracy. If you wish to self-drive the Sahara in particular give yourself the option of Mauritania as you will need less time for research and administration and far less chance of hiccups or hassle. I am sure there are many others on this site who will have travelled far more, and far more recently in RIM than DZ, certainly self-driving.

If you particularly want to see rock art then I am sorry, so far as I am aware, Tassili N'Ajjer - and it may be that at present you would only be allowed a day trip to Djabbaren as Chris Scott has suggested, and thus miss Sefar - is probably "the greatest art collection in the world of that vintage 2-10,000 years ago" . I think so!

Doubtless there are many on this site who wil be interested to read of your travels and perhaps also your planning and considerations in the meantime.

Good luck and God Bless.

All very interesting. Thank you for taking the time to elaborate and once again for your advice.

It is not yet guaranteed that I'll go this year, but I am still thinking seriously about it. I have been researching for a month or two on and off, and realistically, if I go next year instead, I won't spent more than the same amount of time researching next time round. Additionally, I have been convinced that if I do go, I will have to fly to the South, in which case, there doesn't seem that much to research. It will be a case of successfully (or not) finding a guide/agency to help me do a 4-7 day trip, and beyond that, doesn't seem that much to be researched.

The northern portion I've researched quite well. I would spend a couple of days in Algiers, and then depending on the overall timing of the trip, possibly rent a car if possible for a day or a few days. Visit a couple of other places that interest me, and possibly take a train to Constantine (to avoid driving anywhere near the Tizi Ouzou region).

I can't say Mauritania isn't interesting, particularly with the self-driving, but if self-driving it almost takes more organising, and as I've said before, southern Algeria just seems be more the prime Saharan location. Seems more beautiful and interesting...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sahara-Man-...40_&dpSrc=srch