Maure ( Moors , also known as Sahrawis ), and various black African ethnicities including Tubu , Nubians , Zaghawa , Kanuri , Peul (Fulani), Hausa and Songhai . Important cities located in the Sahara include Nouakchott , the capital of Mauritania; Tamanrasset , Ouargla , Bechar , Hassi Messaoud ,