The Southern Front: Why Saudi Arabia, UAE Gave US$130 Million to Africa Force

The Southern Front: Why Saudi Arabia, UAE Gave US$130 Million to Africa Force

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have followed the United States in funding a five-nation armed force designed to stop the march of Islamist extremists in Africa. But why is the Sahel, a semi-arid region just south of the Sahara Desert, causing alarm? Saudi Arabia pledged US$100 million December 13 towards a special anti-terror force…