There is an area called the Sahel in Africa, an area which is comprised of Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad and Northern Nigeria. It is a very large area with many different tribal/animist cultures and ethics. As Islam wends it's way across Africa we have seen the problems in places such as Nigeria, Mauritania and Niger. Now, our friends in France have decided that the Sahel is no place for Frenchmen, or anyone interested in staying alive for the near term. Two French hostages of the "religion of peace" for the past year have been murdered by their captors during a rescue attempt, thus France's decision to call the Sahel "off limits".
From Reuters Jan 9 by John Irish and Abdoulaye Massalaatchi
France said on Sunday the African Sahel region was no longer safe for its citizens after suspected al Qaeda militants killed two Frenchmen in Niger.
The pair were found dead, apparently killed by their kidnappers on Saturday, after French special forces joined a failed attempt to rescue them in the African state.
"French nationals should be extremely vigilant and careful at all times," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its website. "In view of the terrorism threat on the region, no area can be considered safe any longer."
The Sahel includes Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad and Northern Nigeria.
The two victims were abducted from a bar, bringing to eight the number of French nationals snatched in Niger since last April. They were the first to be seized in the capital Niamey, far from the lawless desert where Islamist militants, rebels and bandits flourish.
Just how far are these Islamist militants, rebels and bandits from civilization?
Obviously not far enough.
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