This article describes the way in which Al Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has become in recent years one of the most dinamic and productive terrorists branchs of Al Qaida �Central�. AQIM has profited the comparative advantages it finds in the Sahel strip. In fact, AQIM is, in Autumn 2012, one amog the actors that have provoked a deep deterioration of the security situation in the region. AQIM�s geographical projection, its terrorist effort in terms of attacks, its wise employment of propaganda, and its deeply performed financial activities, confirm its relevance. In addition, AQIM�s strategic influence in Northern Mali and its numerous links with the also active Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram do confirm its protagonis...