Nomadism and mobility in the Sahara-Sahel

In many respects, the current geopolitical context is similar to that of the early 1960s when countries in the Sahara-Sahelian areas were gaining independence there are permeable borders, instability and “terrorism”, Touareg independence claims and rebellions, and investment in resource development. However, the current percentage of nomads in the region is much smaller. Urbanisation has exploded, and irrigated agriculture has improved. The business community has diversified, and drought is a recurring phenomenon (Bisson, 2003). As a result, the cultural and social life of nomadic groups has changed dramatically. They are now influenced by education, a cash economy, the workforce, industry and living in cities.