Civil War is unfolding in Niger. (Update 3)

by Paschen | July 1, 2009 at 08:41 pm

885 views | 71 Recommendations | 10 comments

By, Uwe Paschen.

Niger is once again in trouble and this time it is of the highest concern to all involved. Causing all alarm bells to ring laud and clear with the OUA, the UN and the EU.

This seems to be the beginning of a civil war that was preceded by countless demonstrations in Niamey against the attempt of the Current President to change the Constitution in spite of repeated constitutional court rulings against this attempt by the currant President Mamadou Tandja who tries to remain in power indefinitely just as Hugo Chavez does seem to try along with others around the Globe that believe in Democracy only as long as it suits them personally.

This comes after month of peace negotiations with the MNJ (Mouvement du Niger pour la Justice.) that did finally conceded after many efforts from Libya and the UN where deployed to re-enter a Democratic process and to lay down arms.

The latest unrest is also preceded by month of turmoil due to the kidnapping of UN envoy Robert Fowler and Louis Guay whom have been released only last April of this Year after being held since December 2008 in Niger.

The MNJ and others have already regretted their good faith. They are now regrouping and rearming. However, this time the Tuaregs and Berber are not alone, they have now support form opposition movements from the south in the Housa area. Even though, a Coup seemed to have failed earlier yesterday, it seems the country is on the path to civil war and this on all fronts and with all ethnical groups going against the Government of Mamadou Tandja who seems to remain in control over the Armed Forces and the Foreign Mercenaries so far.

Those Armed Forces are equipped by the US and trained by the US who has some major interest in this country as China, Canada and India as well as France and Japan do. This due to Niger's rich Uranium resources making the third largest Uranium exporter in the World after Australia and Canada.

Niger does belongs to the 10 poorest countries on this planet and yet is blessed with an abundance of resources such as Uranium, Gold, Silver, Oil and more, this country has been helped and protected by the EU to great extend and has benefited from countless support programs and UN aid.

It knew prosperity and was on the right track in the mid seventies early eighties under the Government of Kunche, however fall back into corruption and sectarian wars since.

The UN has invested countless resources as did Libya and Algeria to work out a peace in Niger and counter the corruption that bleed this country to death.

This was so far with only limited success, since the Housa in the South refused to this day to give equal rights to the minorities such as the Tuaregs, the Berber, the Peul and others that are part of this country and whose territories are the once blessed with an abundance of wealth. Where as the South wish is the homeland of the Housa is blessed with fertile land and water, however, they do not have Uranium or Gold below the ground they walk on. The Housa make up almost 50% of the total population though and control the Government, the Armed Forces and the Police. Most of Niger is Desert and home to the Tuaregs, Peul and Fulani. Those have never accepted to be left out of the Government and being treated as second class citizen nor do they accept leaving control over their land and heritage to an estranged colonial type government in the far south of Niger.

More news will follow as it becomes available.

The links bellow are all related to this latest news development and give a back round to what is happening and why to those that may be interested.

Update 1. 03/07/09. Below.

"EU is gravely concerned at recent political developments in Niger and welcomes the efforts made by the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure a democratic outcome in Niger," said a declaration by the Swedish Presidency on behalf of EU on the political situation of Niger.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/03/content_11643373.htm

"have made it extremely difficult for the country's democratic institutions and the Constitutional Court to play their roles as guarantors of the rule of law," Mr. Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200907021254.html

Gibbs (USA) for his part said "to rule by ordinance and decree and to dissolve the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court as part of a bid to retain power beyond his constitutionally-limited mandate."

http://allafrica.com/stories/200907020886.html

The MNJ (Mouvement des Nigerien pour la Justice) have pledged to resist the dictatorial Government of Tandja and fight for Justice and Democracy in Niger. The Peace and cease fire has been called of.

http://m-n-j.blogspot.com/

Update 2. 03/07/09.

Seven Ministers of the Current Government under President Tandja have resigned there post in view of the illegal actions by the president. A second new party of all decedents from the Current governing party has been funded in opposition to the Government action named MODEN.

The President has named a new Constitutional court and appointed seven new judges loyal to him, he also replaced the Ministers that opposed him with loyal subject from his close entourage that have not been elected by the people nor by the parliament that the President of Niger has dissolved earlier since it opposed his coup against the Constitutional courts and actions against the Public opposition to him.

All borders are being blocked and a cure few has been issued. The Djerma and Tuaregs are manifesting their oppositions to the Government and President Tandja with determination and by calling for civil resistance to all Niger Citizen.

http://www.izf.net/pages/actualite-politique-et-economique-du-niger/3180

Update 3. 04/07/09.

Is the sad reality of our indifference.

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/4th-july-only-those-can-tweet

Back round.

http://m-n-j.blogspot.com/y

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g8QvKZrbv4TN-1s2geszQFN4Z5Xw

http://www.undispatch.com/node/8525

http://news.scotsman.com/world/Niger39s-president-dissolves-his-court.5415969.jp

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/un-hostage-released-west-africa

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/niger-government-may-be-involved-un-r-fowlers-disappearance

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/last-christmas

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/niger-war-what-beneath-desert

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/germany-doubles-aid-budget-niger

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/10-poorest-countries-planet

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/democracy-under-fire-within-niger-demonstration

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/india-signs-new-pact-niger-over-uranium-mining

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/world-bank-praising-niger-government

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/niger-state-revenue-26-and-poverty-32

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/elections-approaching-niger-press-being-jailed

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/chinas-cnpc-now-building-mega-refineries-niger-and-chad

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/niger-freedom-press-only-illusion

http://my.nowpublic.com/environment/desertification-part-ii-history-sahara-desert-attem

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/tuareg-hope-mali-despair-niger

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/uranium-next-energy-crisis-may-cripple-western-nations

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/niger-army-admits-civilian-death-however-not-genocide-bbc-news

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/end-tuaregs-niger-chad-mali-and-cameroon-algeria-and-libya

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albertacowpoke

at 03:11 on July 2nd, 2009

Pashen, this is a great post, with a good background on Niger. It seems, once again, the world is apathetic to what is happening in Africa. Thanks for this post.

Amitjha

at 04:17 on July 2nd, 2009

Great Story but a sad reality we find greatness of the story in the disharmony and unfortunately it attracts most of the comment.

Amy Judd

at 09:08 on July 2nd, 2009

I hope that civil war does not break out; please do keep us updated.

Paschen

at 04:27 on July 2nd, 2009

Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister just made an announcement a few hours ago and said the tensions caused by the president's actions were "dangerous".

He urged the 71-year-old leader to "respect the constitutional order". The US has now condemned those actions as well as Germany who did urge the Government to step down before it may be to late to salvage a peaceful outcome and avoid a full blown civil war.

158

at 14:34 on July 3rd, 2009

Great story

We do not get a lot of news from the middle of Africa.

A civil war would be a disaster

Paschen

at 04:42 on July 4th, 2009

You are missing the point here "eyeswideopen" and seem to lake an overall view and understanding of the issues at hand.

Well, there are a lot of link that you may read up on here and maybe it will help you to open your eyes wide as well as your mind.

Paschen

at 19:13 on July 4th, 2009

So Eyeswideopen you make comments on this post that are in response to another post?

That does make a lot of sense. I wont even bother reading the rest of your comment then.

Paschen

at 04:18 on July 2nd, 2009

A very real fact Amit, unfortunately it seems that way in deed.

eyeswideopen (not verified)

at 02:40 on July 4th, 2009

Wait, how is the world apathetic? Half of the article was about several organizations that are "gravely concerned" and trying to figure out how to keep things from escalating. A LOT of people care. Someone took the time to type that up, post it online, and several people read it and commented on it, all concerned comments. Each of us saw the headline and chose to read it rather than pass it by and look for another headline. My life is the exact opposite of that place (although...that's changing), and it's likely that whatever happens to that country, it will never actually affect my life. So why bother reading the article? The world isn't apathetic. In fact, many people can relate and are hoping for the best for that country. The entire world is in a state of upheaval, we're all going through some bad times (to varying degrees obviously). We still care and hate to see it happening. Considering all the hullabaloo going on over this, I have to wonder what would have to be done to show you we care. All that's left is physically going in there and straightening things out. But if anybody (particularly America) DOES that, well then you're just sticking your nose in someone elses business. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

eyeswideopen (not verified)

at 10:01 on July 4th, 2009

Exactly how am I "missing the point?" My post was not even a response to your article, it was a response to another post saying the world is apathetic. Your article clearly states things like, "Causing all alarm bells to ring laud and clear with the OUA, the UN and the EU," and,"after many efforts from Libya and the UN where deployed to re-enter a Democratic process and to lay down arms," and,"The UN has invested countless resources as did Libya and Algeria to work out a peace in Niger and counter the corruption that bleed this country to death." Plenty of other statements like those peppered throughout the article. I think *you* missed *my* point. Don't write an article making claim after claim showing scenarios where the world has been involved and is trying to resolve things without anybody getting hurt, and then try to act like nobody cares. Perhaps you should look up the definition of "apathetic."

I already looked over your links. Nearly all of them are to articles *you* wrote. I could write anything on here, loads of articles, and say,"Well, if you don't believe me, just look at the other things I wrote!" That's absurd! Apart from the fact that your articles are heavily biased (and I'm not saying you're "right" or "wrong", just stating a fact), I would never get all of my information from one person. I understand you're trying to paint a picture for people, so they can see not only the larger picture but the nuances influencing it, but using yourself as a reference almost entirely is ridiculous.

My comment was addressing the fact that the world DOES care, and it's shown in the actions of both world organizations and private citizens alike. In fact, I see more apathy among the citizens of Niger than I see in the rest of the world. One example comes straight from one of your links:

---In the working class suburbs, butcher's shops and small food stores opened as usual.

The general strike call also received little support in the transport sector, where cars filled the roads and taxis operated as normal.

"That is a matter for politicians, I am looking for food to put on the table," said a taxi driver.------

Albertacowpoke made this comment (after all the instances in your article showing how involved the world is):

"It seems, once again, the world is apathetic to what is happening in Africa."

and YOUR reply to that was:

"Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister just made an announcement a few hours ago and said the tensions caused by the president's actions were "dangerous".

Do ya see the crazy dichotomy going on there? He says nobody cares, and your post points out the opposite. In fact, it looks as if you're *contradicting* his statement that the world is apathetic. If that's the case, then your reply to my comment makes even less sense.

As I said, I wasn't commenting on your article, I was commenting on the "world is apathetic" post. I'm not saying you're right or wrong, that either side in Niger is right or wrong, I'm saying the "world is apathetic" comment is rubbish.