Latest news with #Nigeriens
Morocco World
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Algeria Expelled Nearly 5,000 African Migrants to Niger Since Early April
Doha – Algeria has expelled 4,975 African migrants to neighboring Niger since early April, exacerbating already strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to Niger's state television. 'Algeria, as is its habit, in defiance of African and international laws and conventions, has undertaken to expel thousands of African nationals, including Nigeriens, from its territory,' Télé Sahel, Niger's state television station, declared earlier this week. Between April 1-21, Algerian authorities forced out 2,753 Nigerien citizens, including 308 minors and 196 women, according to security officials in Assamaka, a Nigerien town on the Algerian border. These migrants arrived by what are termed 'official convoys' – transported in vehicles and received by local authorities under bilateral agreements. During the same period, an additional 2,222 'pedestrian deportees' reached Assamaka, including 146 Nigeriens and 2,076 foreigners from other African countries. These individuals were abandoned at 'point zero,' a desert area marking the border, forcing them to walk approximately 15 kilometers in extreme weather conditions to reach Assamaka. 'If we're not careful, the severity of this humanitarian crisis could transform into a catastrophe,' warned Télé Sahel. The channel broadcast footage showing exhausted migrants arriving in Assamaka with injuries to their feet from walking and wounds on their arms and faces allegedly inflicted by Algerian security forces. Read also: New York Times Unmasks 'Hell' of Algeria's Mass Deportation Campaign The expulsions come amid deteriorating relations between Algeria and the Sahel states. Recently, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – recalled their ambassadors from Algeria after accusing Algerian forces of shooting down a Malian drone. Algeria has rejected these accusations, claiming it shot down an armed surveillance drone that had violated its airspace. 'The case of deportees we receive from Algeria is a situation that disturbs the security balance of Niger,' stated General Mohamed Toumba, Niger's Interior Minister, in late January. He requested that the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) help return migrants to their countries of origin. Diplomatic tensions between the two countries intensified last year when Niger's military authorities summoned the Algerian ambassador to protest against the 'violent nature' of these deportation operations. Algeria responded by summoning Niger's ambassador and dismissing the allegations as 'unfounded.' Since 2014, irregular migrants from Niger and other African countries, including women and minors, have been regularly expelled from Algeria, which serves as a transit point to Europe. More than 31,000 migrants were deported from Algeria to Niger in 2024, a record number according to the Nigerien NGO Alarme Phone Sahara. Some reports suggest Algeria's increased deportations may be linked to negotiations for diplomatic relations with Israel by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as well as a possible retaliation for Niger's solidarity with Mali in the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Algeria and the AES countries.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Niger junta frees ministers of overthrown government
Niger's junta said Tuesday it had freed around 50 people, including ministers from the government it toppled in July 2023, in line with recommendations of a "national conference" in February. Those freed include former ministers, a diplomat, a journalist and soldiers accused of a coup bid in 2010. However ousted former president Mohamed Bazoum is still in detention despite international calls for his release. "These individuals are being released in accordance with the recommendations of the National Forum for Reconstruction," the government's general secretariat said in a statement read on public television. Those released include former oil minister Mahamane Sani Issoufou, the son of ex-president Mahamadou Issoufou who was in power for a decade from 2011, ex-defence minister Kalla Moutari, former finance minister Ahmat Jidoud, and former energy minister Ibrahim Yacoubou. The president of the PNDS former ruling party, Foumakoye Gado, and journalist Ousmane Toudou are also among those freed along with Alat Mogaskia, former ambassador to Nigeria. They were arrested after the coup that brought to power General Abdourahamane Tiani, former head of the presidential guard, and were being held in various prisons, notably for "conspiracy to undermine the security and authority of the state". Similar charges are pending against former president Bazoum, whose immunity was lifted without a trial date being set. Soldiers previously convicted of coup bids or "endangering state security" were also released, including general Salou Souleymane, former chief of staff, and three other officers sentenced in 2018 to up to 15 years in prison for trying to overthrow president Issoufou in 2015. - 'Forgiveness' - The national conference held in February strengthened the ruling junta by authorising Tiani to remain in power in Niger for the next five years. "I wish to reiterate my commitment to always work for forgiveness and reconciliation among Nigeriens," junta leader Tiani declared after his inauguration as president last week. "The forgiveness and reconciliation we call for cannot conflict with the legitimate aspirations of Nigeriens for justice." Since coming to power, Niger's military rulers have severed relations with France and expelled French and American soldiers engaged in a battle against jihadists. They have also left organisations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). At the same time it has moved closer to its two neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, both governed by military leaders and facing the same deadly jihadist attacks. Together they have formed a group known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and strengthened ties with Russia. Their three foreign ministers are expected in Moscow on Thursday and Friday for talks with their Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. bh/ach/jfx/rsc
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Niger swear in coup leader as president for five years
Dem don swear in Niger military ruler as di kontri president for a transitional period of five years. Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani don dey lead di kontri since 2023, afta e remove Niger elected President, Mohamed Bazoum through coup. On Wednesday, 26 March, Gen Tchiani take di presidential office under one new charter wey replace di West African kontri constitution. Dem also promote am to di kontri highest military rank of army general, and e sign one decree wey order dissolvement of all political parties. During one ceremony for di capital, Niamey, Gen Tchiani tok of im new military rank: "I receive dis distinction wit great humility... I go try to live up to di trust kontri pipo place in me." Di transition to democratic rule dey in line wit recommendations from one commission afta one national discussion. Dis five-year time period dey "flexible" and e depend on di kontri security status, di new charter tok. Jihadist attacks bin worry Niger for many years – wey be one of di issues junta leaders bin cite wen dem stage di coup. Di military takeover bin follow odas for di region – na juntas too dey lead neighbouring Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso. All di four kontris don cut ties wit former colonial power France and dem don forge new alliances wit Russia. And all except Guinea, don pull out of Ecowas, di West African regional bloc. Niger relations wit Ecowas bin scata wen di junta propose one three-year transition period to democratic rule straight afta di coup. Ecowas bin call di plan "provocation" and dem bin threaten to intervene wit di use of force, bifor dem later back down. Gen Tchiani administration dey prosecute former President Bazoum on top accuse say e commit high treason and e undermine national security. Di junta still hold Bazoum for di presidential palace wit im wife, while dem grant im son one provisional release last January. According to state-run news agency ANP, Gen Tchiani tok say Niger new charter dey in line wit traditional constitutions but e also take "unprecedented measures to protect our natural resources so dat Nigeriens go truly benefit from di exploitation of dia wealth".
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Niger coup leader sworn in as president for five years
Niger's military ruler has been sworn in as the country's president for a transitional period of five years. Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani has led the country since 2023, after he deposed Niger's elected President, Mohamed Bazoum. On Wednesday, Gen Tchiani took the presidential office under a new charter that replaces the West African country's constitution. He was also promoted to the country's highest military rank of army general, and signed a decree ordering that all political parties be dissolved. During a ceremony in the capital, Niamey, Gen Tchiani said of his new military rank: "I receive this distinction with great humility... I will strive to live up to the trust placed in me." The transition to democratic rule is in line with recommendations that a commission made following national discussions. This five-year time period is "flexible" depending on the country's security status, the new charter says. Niger has been plagued by jihadist attacks for many years - one of the issues junta leaders cited when staging their coup. The military takeover followed a string of others in the region - neighbouring Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso are also run by juntas. All four countries have severed ties with former colonial power France and forged new alliances with Russia. And all except Guinea, have pulled out of Ecowas, the West African regional bloc. Niger's relations with Ecowas broke down when the junta proposed a three-year transition period to democratic rule straight after the coup. Ecowas called this plan a "provocation" and threatened to intervene with the use of force, before later backing down. Gen Tchiani's administration is prosecuting former President Bazoum on allegations of committing high treason and undermining national security. Bazoum is still being held in the presidential palace with his wife, while his son was granted a provisional release last January. According to state-run news agency ANP, Gen Tchiani said that Niger's new charter was in line with traditional constitutions but also takes "unprecedented measures to protect our natural resources so that Nigeriens truly benefit from the exploitation of their wealth". Three military-run states leave West African bloc - what will change? Why Niger is saying goodbye to France but not the US How has Niger changed since the coup? Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Niger coup leader Abdourahamane Tchiani sworn in as president for five years
Niger's military ruler has been sworn in as the country's president for a transitional period of five Abdourahamane Tchiani has led the country since 2023, after he deposed Niger's elected President, Mohamed Wednesday, Gen Tchiani took the presidential office under a new charter that replaces the West African country's constitution. He was also promoted to the country's highest military rank of army general, and signed a decree ordering that all political parties be dissolved. During a ceremony in the capital, Niamey, Gen Tchiani said of his new military rank: "I receive this distinction with great humility... I will strive to live up to the trust placed in me."The transition to democratic rule is in line with recommendations that a commission made following national five-year time period is "flexible" depending on the country's security status, the new charter says. Niger has been plagued by jihadist attacks for many years - one of the issues junta leaders cited when staging their military takeover followed a string of others in the region - neighbouring Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso are also run by four countries have severed ties with former colonial power France and forged new alliances with Russia. And all except Guinea, have pulled out of Ecowas, the West African regional relations with Ecowas broke down when the junta proposed a three-year transition period to democratic rule straight after the called this plan a "provocation" and threatened to intervene with the use of force, before later backing down. Gen Tchiani's administration is prosecuting former President Bazoum on allegations of committing high treason and undermining national is still being held in the presidential palace with his wife, while his son was granted a provisional release last to state-run news agency ANP, Gen Tchiani said that Niger's new charter was in line with traditional constitutions but also takes "unprecedented measures to protect our natural resources so that Nigeriens truly benefit from the exploitation of their wealth". Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
