Officials in Niger say five African aid workers who were kidnapped by suspected al-Qaida militants last month have been freed. The aid groups BEFEN and Health Alert say the workers were freed on Saturday near Niger’s border with Mali. They say a sixth worker who had been kidnapped with the group was shot during the […]
5 Kidnapped Aid Workers Freed in Niger, 1 Killed
Posted November 3rd, 2012 at 8:00 am (UTC-5)
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EU Sends Experts To Niger To Fight Terrorism
Posted July 16th, 2012 at 5:50 pm (UTC-5)
The European Union has created a new mission to train security forces in Niger to fight terrorism and organized crime. The EU says the mission will start in Niger but could extend to Mali and Mauritania — all countries that are part of a large desert region in sub-Saharan Africa known as the Sahel. EU […]
Niger President: Pakistanis, Afghans Train Islamists in Mali
Posted June 7th, 2012 at 7:25 pm (UTC-5)
Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou says jihadi fighters from Pakistan and Afghanistan are training members of Islamist groups in northern Mali. Mr. Issoufou told the “France 24” news channel in the capital, Niamey, Thursday the government has information on the presence of Afghans and Pakistanis in northern Mali operating as trainers. He said the foreigners are […]
Niger Refuses to Extradite Gadhafi Son to Libya
Posted February 11th, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
Niger has refused to extradite to Libya the son of slain dictator Moammar Gadhafi, saying Saadi Gadhafi risks death in the country his father ruled for four decades. Niger government spokesman Marou Amadou told reporters Saturday that Niger would turn Gadhafi over to the International Criminal Court if the court requests. Libya’s ruling National Transitional […]
Niger Fire Burns Anti-Corruption Files
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 3:35 pm (UTC-5)
A fire at Niger’s justice ministry has destroyed files on anti-corruption cases against a number of judges. The fire in the capital, Niamey, broke out early Tuesday, seriously damaging the justice ministry building and many paper archives inside. Authorities say the documents included evidence collected to prosecute allegedly corrupt magistrates. Some of the information had […]
Niger to Grant Asylum to One of Gadhafi’s Son
Posted November 12th, 2011 at 8:55 am (UTC-5)
Niger has announced that it will grant the fugitive son of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi asylum. Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou said Saadi Gadhafi – who fled Libya in August – will be given asylum for humanitarian reason. Libya’s National Transitional Council wants Saadi Gadhafi to go on trial for crimes he allegedly committed while […]
Niger Admits Blunder in Terrorist Round-Up
Posted October 1st, 2011 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
Niger says it made a mistake in arresting 59 people for being followers of al-Qaida following a deadly clash last month. The governor of Agadez, Garba Maikido, issued an apology on national television Friday, saying the 59 were actually just migrant workers hoping to smuggle themselves into a neighboring country. Niger arrested the 59 migrants […]
Gadhafi Has Longstanding Ties to Niger’s Tuareg
Posted September 6th, 2011 at 8:40 am (UTC-5)
Moammar Gadhafi has longstanding ties to Tuareg nomads in Niger, the country entered by a convoy of pro-Gadhafi forces late Monday. Colonel Gadhafi once supported a Tuareg rebellion in northern Niger, and hundreds of former Tuareg rebels have fought for him against Libyan insurgents. The Tuareg are based in the eastern Sahara, mainly in Niger […]
Ten Arrested After Failed Coup Attempt in Niger
Posted August 3rd, 2011 at 9:45 am (UTC-5)
Niger’s president says security forces arrested 10 people for attempting to overthrow the government last month. President Mahmadou Issoufou said in a television address late Tuesday that the coup attempt occurred the night of July 12 and into the following day. He said 10 people, reported to be soldiers, have been arrested while another suspect […]
