Nigerien NGO urges international community to help restore peace in north
Posted by African Press International on December 13, 2007
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Niamey (Niger) A coalition of Nigerien civil society organisations group for the right to energy (CODDAE), urged the European Union and the United Nations to help Niger to end the conflict which prevails in the north, a theatre of confrontations between the army and the rebel group, the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ), APA has learnt. In a statement copied to APA Thursday, CODDAE called on the Niger government and rebels to spare civilians in the Agadez region conflict, 1000km north of Niamey. The group urged the government “to do everything possible to ensure the safety of the population,” following the explosions of landmines on the main roads and cities of the country. “We request from the international community particularly the United Nations and the European Union to help Niger to end this conflict,” the declaration noted. Last Monday, the explosion of two anti-tank mines in Maradi (centre) and Tahoua (north-east) killed two civilians and severely wounded others, a few days before the visit of President Mamadou Tandja to Tahoua to celebrate the 49th independence anniversary of the country. CODDAE termed these acts as “criminal and widespread terrorism, which creates insecurity among the peaceful Niger population, in obvious violation of human rights.” In a statement published Wednesday on its website, the MNJ rejected burying anti-tank mines in Maradi and Tahoua, accusing the government of “creating a diversion”. The MNJ, which is not recognised by the Niamey authorities, demands a better socio-economic reintegration for the Tuareg people and for the mining companies to give employment priority to natives of northern Niger. Published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no source.apa |
