Interactive mapping

Our real point of difference: an evolving map of the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin, the Sahara and the Red Sea, updated monthly.

First map published

The Saharan quadrangle: conflict & resources

Our first thematic map charts conflict zones (Fezzan, Tibesti, Darfur/CAR), gold and diamond deposits, and the arms and mercenary corridors linking Libya, Chad, Sudan and CAR.

Geopolitical map: North-Central Africa — conflict and resources (Libya, Chad, Sudan, CAR) — IMS map — Conflict zones, gold and diamond deposits, and arms and mercenary corridors in the Libya-Chad-Sudan-CAR quadrangle. For analytical purposes; boundaries indicative.

Read the related analysis

Current status

The interactive version is under construction

The fully interactive version of our mapping (thematic layers, continuous updates) is being built from our field sources. In the meantime, a first thematic map is already published above.

Be notified when it goes live

Thematic coverage

What the map will document

Armed incidents

Geolocation of incidents involving armed groups in the region.

Actors & zones of influence

Mapping of areas controlled or influenced by the main armed and political actors.

Oil and mining infrastructure

Oil and mining sites, and strategic logistics corridors.

Smuggling routes

Gold smuggling routes and informal cross-border circuits.

Methodology

Field sources and open data

The map will combine field surveys, interviews with local correspondents and verified open sources. Every data point published will be dated and sourced. The target update cycle is monthly.

Technical roadmap

From Datawrapper to Mapbox

Version 1 — Datawrapper

A first static or semi-interactive map, to publish reliable initial coverage quickly without waiting for heavy technical development.

Version 2 — Mapbox / Leaflet

A fully interactive map, with thematic layers and continuous updates, once the data model has stabilised.