Interesting. Flying Lagos/London, I would usually try to call Tamanrasset on VHF when coming abeam it on the long Niamey/Ghardhaia leg, particularly in my A310 (twin-engine) days. Although it was usually the early hours, they invariably responded. Good to glance again at the approach chart (high and hilly), get their wx, and show them we valued their existence. But the prospect of going there for the first time in the dark with an engine failure (or worse) was not a pleasant one.
Main-line pilots lead a sheltered life, and most of us prefer it that way. This crew obviously reckoned they had – or might have had – a very serious problem downstairs. As Gulfstreamaviator says: needs must.
Chris (old and retired)