Niger ceasefire announced

[kitmax]

This announcement was posted on BBC. This is good news for travellers to the region, but only time will tell...
Niger Tuaregs 'to lay down arms'
From - BBC NEWS | Africa | Niger Tuaregs 'to lay down arms'

The Tuareg are an historically nomadic people living in remote desert regions
Tuareg rebels fighting the government in Niger say they are laying down their arms, as part of peace talks brokered by Libya.

The announcement was made by the Tuareg rebel leader, Aghaly ag Alambo, following a meeting in Libya with the country's leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

Mr Alambo said he was also speaking for Tuareg rebels in neighbouring Mali - they would disarm too, he said.

The revolts by Tuareg nomads broke out last year in the two Saharan countries.

The government of Niger has welcomed Mr Alambo's statement and Libya's peacemaking efforts.


Following his meeting with Mr Gaddafi in southern Libya, Mr Alambo said he also spoke on behalf of the leader of the Tuareg rebellion in neighbouring Mali, Ibrahim Ag Bahanga.

The Tuareg are an historically nomadic people living in the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa.

Tuareg militants in Mali and Niger have been engaged in sporadic armed struggles for several decades.

But analysts are divided over whether the Tuareg revolts have been driven by genuine political grievances or efforts to defend control of drugs, arms and migrant-smuggling routes.

[roro]

Hope it will be true , Niger is such a beautiful country.
Thanks for this info.
RR.

[KevinMc]

This can only mean that the Tuaregs are really hurting from the lack of tourism in Algeria-Niger-Mali. I hear tourism is just shut down totally in Agadez. Must really be hurting many people.

[Richard K]

The reported ceasefire appears to be something of a Tamashek translation error.

[constanttrek]

Hi there,

looking through all the available info online on this topic, I would have to say that things are definitely looking up. There was undoubtedly a recent hand in of arms by the MNJ (at which event a mine held in the stockpile accidentally exploded, thus killing one and wounding twenty when it set off a number of the other weapons - wonderful Nigerienne efficiency at work there) which would indicate at least a willingness to negotiate. In addition, Areva mining have recently signed a 5 billion $US deal to further mine uranium in Niger, and the country is under tremendous pressure to resolve the conflict given that the mining concessions are near Arlit and employ several thousand local workers. The problem remains the minister for the interior, my old mate Albade Abouba, who continues to dismiss the MNJ as drug smuggling bandits (They, incidentally, accuse him of being exactly the same thing....) and flatly refuses to negotiate.
Interesting to note that the Malian President recently managed to resolve the Tuareg issues there, to a degree. The Tuareg do have a right to increased services and representation in government, and the racial inequality will need to be addressed before the country can move forward.

I do think that the latest developements bode well, but there will need to be significant alterations in Nigerienne government policy to ensure any kind of lasting peace, regardless of the great Leader's input.

Fingers are crossed - this region has enough to cope with, without dealing with full blown civil war yet again.
Cheers
Paula

[constanttrek]

I had an email direct from an MNJ rep this morning - there is no ceasefire, just more government lies.

Sad, sad, sad.

[donncha]

Story today in the NYT -

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/wo...nted=1&_r=1&hp

[manfredschweda]

Tillabéri, between Gao and Niamey, reading that on Jeune Afrique
Jeuneafrique.com : Disparition de deux diplomates canadiens travaillant pour l'ONU

Manfred, in Bamako