Emirates of Sand

Emirates of Sand explores the hidden roots of armed movements in the Sahel and Sahara, where desert borders shift with each storm of war. Written by journalist Ousmane Alsharif, the book offers a rare, on-the-ground perspective drawn from years of field reporting across Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Libya. Rather than presenting distant theories, it follows the realities of people and places caught between ideology and survival. Through verified testimonies, historical context, and careful analysis, Emirates of Sand reveals how local economies, smuggling routes, and tribal networks sustain conflicts that shape the future of the entire region. The book explains how money, weapons, and kinship define alliances and rivalries more than slogans or foreign agendas. It also traces how these informal powers challenge governments, influence peace processes, and blur the line between rebellion and governance. Part investigation and part human chronicle, Emirates of Sand gives voice to those who live where the headlines fade — to traders, herders, elders, and families who survive between hope and loss. It is an essential work for readers, researchers, and policymakers seeking to understand how modern conflict is fueled not only by ideology, but by the enduring forces of land, wealth, and belonging.