| U.S. Department of State Bureau of African Affairs Background Note: Niger April 2003 PROFILE OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Niger Geography Area: 1,267,000 sq. km. (490,000 sq. mi.); about three times the size of California. Cities: CapitalNiamey (pop. approx. 700,000). Other citiesTahoua, Maradi, Zinder, Diffa, Dosso, Arlit, and Agadez. Terrain: About two-thirds desert and mountains, one-third savanna. Climate: Hot, dry, and dusty. Rainy season June-September. People Nationality: Noun and adjectiveNigerien(s). Population (2002 est.): 11,342,000 million. Annual growth rate (2001): 3.3%. Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fulani 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanuri) 4.3%; Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%. Religions: Islam (95%); remainder traditional and Christian. Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Tomachek, Toubou, Gourmantche, Arabic. Education: Years compulsory6. Attendance34%.Literacy15%. Health: Infant mortality rate (2000) 248(?)118/1,000. Life expectancy46 yrs. Work force: Agriculture90%;industry and commerce6%;government4%. Government Type: Republic. Independence: August 3, 1960. Constitution: The constitution of January 1993 was revised by national referendum on May 12, 1996 and again by referendum on July 18, 1999. Branches: Executivepresident and prime minister. Legislativeunicameral national assembly (83 MPs). JudicialCourt of Appeals, Supreme Court, High Court of Justice, and Court of State Security. Political parties: Five are represented in the National Assembly. Suffrage: The 1992 constitution provides for universal suffrage for Nigeriens age 18 or older. Administrative subdivisions: Eight departments subdivided into 36 districts (arrondissements). Central government budget: $320 million. Flag: Three horizontal bandsorange, white, and green from top to bottom with orange orb representing the sun centered on white band. Economy GDP (2001): $2.0 billion. Annual growth rate (2001): 5.1%. Per capita GDP (2001): $170. Avg. inflation rate (2001 est.): 4.0%. Natural resources: Uranium, gold, oil, coal, iron, tin, phosphates. Agriculture (40% of GDP): Productsmillet, sorghum, cowpeas, peanuts, cotton, rice. Industry (18% of GDP): Typestextiles, cement, soap, beverages. Trade (1999 est.): Exports (Freight on Boardf.o.b.)$285 million: uranium, livestock, cowpeas, onions. Major marketsFrance 39%, Nigeria 29%, Japan 17%, Côte d Ivoire 5%. Imports (f.o.b.)$334 million: consumer goods, petroleum, foodstuffs, industrial products. Major suppliersFrance 22%, Côte d Ivoire 15%, China 8%, Nigeria 8%. PEOPLE The largest ethnic groups in Niger are the Hausa, who also constitute the major ethnic group in northern Nigeria, and the Djerma-Songhai, who also are found in parts of Mali. Both groups are sedentary farmers who live in the arable, southern tier of the country. The remainder of the Nigerien people are nomadic or semi-nomadic livestock-raising peoplesFulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, and Toubou. With rapidly growing populations and the consequent competition for meager natural resources, lifestyles of agriculturalists and livestock herders have come increasingly into conflict in Niger in recent years. Niger's high infant mortality rate is comparable to levels recorded in neighboring countries. However, the child mortality rate (deaths among children between the ages of 1 and 4) is exceptionally high (248 per 1,000) due to generally poor health conditions and inadequate nutrition for most of the country's children. Niger's very high fertility rate (7.2%), nonetheless, means that nearly half (49%) of the Nigerien population is under age 15. School attendance is very low (34%), including 38% of males and only 27% of females. Additional education occurs through Koranic schools. HISTORY Considerable evidence indicates that about 600,000 years ago, humans inhabited what has since become the desolate Sahara of northern Niger. Long before the arrival of French influence and control in the area, Niger was an important economic crossroads, and the empires of Songhai, Mali, Gao, Kanem, and Bornu, as well as a number of Hausa states, claimed control over portions of the area. During recent centuries, the nomadic Tuareg formed large confederations, pushed southward, and, siding with various Hausa states, clashed with the Fulani Empire of Sokoto, which had gained control of much of the Hausa territory in the late 18th century. In the 19th century, contact with the West began when the first European explorersnotably Mungo Park (British) and Heinrich Barth (German)explored the area searching for the mouth of the Niger River. Although French efforts at pacification began before 1900, dissident ethnic groups, especially the desert Tuareg, were not subdued until 1922, when Niger became a French colony. Niger's colonial history and development parallel that of other French West African territories. France administered its West African colonies through a governor general at Dakar, Senegal, and governors in the individual territories, including Niger. In addition to conferring French citizenship on the inhabitants of the territories, the 1946 French constitution provided for decentralization of power and limited participation in political life for local advisory assemblies. A further revision in the organization of overseas territories occurred with the passage of the Overseas Reform Act (Loi Cadre) of July 23, 1956, followed by reorganizational measures enacted by the French Parliament early in 1957. In addition to removing voting inequalities, these laws provided for creation of governmental organs, assuring individual territories a large measure of self-government. After the establishment of the Fifth French Republic on December 4, 1958, Niger became an autonomous state within the French Community. Following full independence on August 3, 1960, however, membership was allowed to lapse. For its first 14 years as an independent state, Niger was run by a single-party civilian regime under the presidency of Hamani Diori. In 1974, a combination of devastating drought and accusations of rampant corruption resulted in a military coup which overthrew the Diori regime. Col. Seyni Kountche and a small group of military ruled the country until Kountche's death in 1987. He was succeeded by his Chief of Staff, Col. Ali Saibou, who released political prisoners, liberalized some of Niger's laws and policies, and promulgated a new constitution. However, President Saibou's efforts to control political reforms failed in the face of union and student demands to institute a multi-party democratic system. The Saibou regime acquiesced to these demands by the end of 1990. New political parties and civic associations sprang up, and a national conference was convened in July 1991 to prepare the way for the adoption of a new constitution and the holding of free and fair elections. The debate was often contentious and accusatory, but under the leadership of Prof. Andre Salifou, the conference developed consensus on the modalities of a transition government. A transition government was installed in November 1991 to manage the affairs of state until the institutions of the Third Republic were put in place in April 1993. While the economy deteriorated over the course of the transition, certain accomplishments stand out, including the successful conduct of a constitutional referendum; the adoption of key legislation such as the electoral and rural codes; and the holding of several free, fair, and nonviolent nationwide elections. Freedom of the press flourished with the appearance of several new independent newspapers. Rivalries within a ruling coalition elected in 1993 led to governmental paralysis, which provided Col. Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara a rationale to overthrow the Third Republic in January 1996. While leading a military authority that ran the government (Conseil de Salut National) during a 6-month transition period, Bare enlisted specialists to draft a new constitution for a Fourth Republic announced in May 1996. After dissolving the national electoral committee, Bare organized and won a flawed election in June 1996. When his efforts to justify his coup and subsequent questionable election failed to convince donors to restore multilateral and bilateral economic assistance, a desperate Bare ignored an international embargo against Libya and sought Libyan funds to aid Niger's economy. In repeated violations of basic civil liberties by the regime, opposition leaders were imprisoned; journalists often arrested, beaten, and deported by an unofficial militia composed of police and military; and independent media offices were looted and burned with impunity. In the culmination of an initiative started under the 1991 national conference, however, the government signed peace accords in April 1995 with all Tuareg and Toubou groups that had been in rebellion since 1990, claiming they lacked attention and resources from the central government. The government agreed to absorb some former rebels in the military and, with French assistance, help others return to a productive civilian life. In April 1999, Bare was overthrown in a coup led by Maj. Daouda Mallam Wanke, who established a transitional National Reconciliation Council to oversee the drafting of a constitution for a Fifth Republic with a French style semi-presidential system. In votes that international observers found to be generally free and fair, the Nigerien electorate approved the new constitution in July 1999 and held legislative and presidential elections in October and November 1999. Heading a MNSD/CDS coalition, Mamadou Tandja won the presidency. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS Niger's new constitution was approved in July 1999. It restores the semi-presidential system of government of the December 1992 constitution (Third Republic) in which the president of the Republic, elected by universal suffrage for a 5-year term, and a prime minister named by the president share executive power. The unicameral legislature is comprised of 83 deputies elected for a 5-year term under a proportional system of representation. Political parties must attain at least 5% of the vote in order to gain a seat in the legislature. Niger's independent judicial system is composed of four higher courtsthe Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court, the High Court of Justice and the Court of State Security. The constitution also provides for the popular election of municipal and local officials, which are expected to take place after all political interests agree upon a governmental decentralization plan. The country is currently divided into 8 departments, which are subdivided into 36 districts (arrondissements). The chief administrator (prefet) in each department is appointed by the government and functions primarily as the local agent of the central authorities. The current legislature elected in October 1999 contains five political parties. President Mamadou Tandja was elected in November 1999 and appointed Hama Amadou as the Prime Minister. Mahamane Ousmane, the head of the CDS, was elected President of the National Assembly (Parliament) by his peers. The first government of the Fifth Republic was installed on January 5, 2000, and a government reshuffle occurred on September 18, 2001. Serious unrest within the military occurred in August 2002, in Niamey, Diffa, and Nguigmi, but the government was able to restore order within several days. First-ever municipal elections are scheduled to take place late in 2003. Principal Government Officials President and Chief of StateMamadou Tandja Prime MinisterHama Amadou President of the National AssemblyMahamane Ousmane Minister of Foreign Affairs and CooperationAichatou Mindaoudou Ambassador to the United StatesJoseph Diatta Niger maintains an embassy in the United States at 2204 R Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008 (tel. 202-483-4224/25/26/27) and a permanent mission to the United Nations at 417 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022 (tel. (212-421-3260). ECONOMY One of the poorest countries in the world, Niger's economy is based largely on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, a 3.4% population growth rate, and the drop in world demand for uranium have undercut an already marginal economy. Traditional subsistence farming, herding, small trading, seasonal migration, and informal markets dominate an economy that generates few formal sector jobs. Niger's agricultural and livestock sectors are the mainstay of all but 18% of the population. Fourteen percent of Niger's GDP is generated by livestock production camels, goats, sheep and cattlesaid to support 29% of the population. The 15% of Niger's land that is arable is found mainly along its southern border with Nigeria. Rainfall varies and when insufficient, Niger has difficulty feeding its population and must rely on grain purchases and food aid to meet food requirements. Although the rains in 2000 were not good, those in 2001 and 2002 were relatively plentiful and well-distributed, contributing to good cereal harvests. Millet, sorghum, and cassava are Niger's principal rainfed subsistence crops. Cowpeas and onions are grown for commercial export, as are limited quantities of garlic, peppers, gum Arabic, and sesame seeds. Of Niger's exports, foreign exchange earnings from livestock, although impossible to quantify, are second only to those from uranium. Actual exports far exceed official statistics, which often fail to detect large herds of animals informally crossing into Nigeria. Some hides and skins are exported, and some are transformed into handicrafts. The persistent uranium price slump has brought lower revenues for Niger's uranium sector, although uranium still provides 72% of national export proceeds. The nation enjoyed substantial export earnings and rapid economic growth during the 1960s and 1970s after the opening of two large uranium mines near the northern town of Arlit. When the uranium-led boom ended in theearly 1980s, however, the economy stagnated, and new investment since then has been limited. Niger's two uranium minesSOMAIR's open pit mine and COMINAK's underground mineare owned by a French-led consortium and operated by French interests. Exploitable deposits of gold are known to exist in Niger in the region between the Niger River and the border with Burkina Faso. Substantial deposits of phosphates, coal, iron, limestone, and gypsum also have been found. Numerous foreign companies have taken out exploration licenses for concessions in the gold seam in western Niger, which also contains deposits of other minerals. Niger has oil potential. In 1992, the Djado permit was awarded to Hunt Oil, and in 1997 the Tenere permit was awarded to TG World Energy. An ExxonMobil-Petronas joint venture now holds the sole rights to the Agadem block, north of Lake Chad. The latter has encountered encouraging oil shows in some test wells but has not yet found exploitable quantities of oil. The parastatal SONICHAR (Societe Nigerienne de Charbon) in Tchirozerine (north of Agadez) extracts coal from an open pit and fuels an electricity generating plant that supplies energy to the uranium mines. There are additional coal deposits to the South and West that are of a higher quality and may be exploitable. After the economic competitiveness created by the January 1994 CFA franc devaluation contributed to an annual average economic growth of 3.5% throughout the mid-1990s, the economy stagnated due to the sharp reduction in foreign aid in 1999 (which gradually resumed in 2000) and poor rains in 2000. Reflecting the importance of the agricultural sector, the return of good rains was the primary factor underlying economic growth of 5.1% in 2001 and 3.1% in 2002 In recent years, the Government of Niger promulgated revisions to the investment code (1997 and 2000), petroleum code (1992), and mining code (1993), all with attractive terms for investors. The present government actively seeks foreign private investment and considers it key to restoring economic growth and development. With the assistance of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), it has undertaken a concerted effort to revitalize the private sector Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with six other members of the West African Monetary Union. The Treasury of the Government of France supplements the BCEAO's international reserves in order to maintain a fixed rate of 656 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) to the Euro. Economic Reform In January 2000, Niger's newly elected government inherited serious financial and economic problems, including a virtually empty treasury, past-due salaries (11 months of arrears) and scholarship payments, increased debt, reduced revenue performance, and lower public investment. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). In January 2001, Niger reached its Decision Point and is expected to reach its Completion Point in September 2003. Total relief from all of Niger's creditors is worth about U.S.$890 million, corresponding to about U.S.$520 million in Net Present Value (NPV) terms, which is equivalent to 53.5% of Niger s total debt outstanding as of 2000. The debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative reduces significantly Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing about $40 million per year over the coming years for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. The overall impact on Niger's budget is substantial. Debt service as a percentage of government revenue will be slashed from nearly 44% in 1999 to 10.9% in 2003 and average 4.3% during 2010-19. It cuts debt service as a percentage of export revenue from more than 23% today to 8.4% in 2003, and decreases to about 5%in later years. In addition to strengthening the budgetary process and public finances, the Government of Niger has embarked on an ambitious program to privatize 12 state-owned companies. To date, five have been fully privatized, including the water and telephone utilities, with the remainder expected to be privatized in 2003. A newly installed multisectoral regulatory agency ensures free and fair competition among the newly privatized companies and their private sector competitors. In its effort to consolidate macroeconomic stability under the PRGF, the government also is taking actions to reduce corruption, and as the result of a participatory process encompassing civil society, has devised a Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan that focuses on improving health, primary education, rural infrastructure, agricultural production, environmental protection, and judicial reform. Foreign Aid The most important donors in Niger are France, the European Union, the World Bank, the IMF, and other UN agenciesUNDP, UNICEF, FAO, WFP, and UNFPA. Other principal donors include the United States, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, China, Italy, Egypt, Denmark, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. While the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) does not have an office in Niger, the United States is a major donor, contributing nearly $8 million each year to Niger s development. The United States also is a major partner in policy coordination in such areas as food security and HIV/AIDS. The importance of external support for Niger's development is demonstrated by the fact that about 45% of the government's FY 2002 budget, including 80% of its capital budget, derives from donor resources. FOREIGN RELATIONS Niger pursues a moderate foreign policy and maintains friendly relations with the West and the Islamic world as well as nonaligned countries. It belongs to the United Nations and its main specialized agencies and in 1980-81 served on the UN Security Council. Niger maintains a special relationship with France and enjoys close relations with its West African neighbors. It is a charter member of the African Union and the West African Monetary Union and also belongs to the Niger River and Lake Chad Basin Commissions, the Economic Community of West African States, the Nonaligned Movement, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. DEFENSE The Niger Armed Forces total 8,000 personne, in addition to 2,700 national gendarmes and 4,000 members of the Garde Republicaine. The air force has three operational transport aircraft and one grounded C-130. The armed forces include general staff and battalion task force organizations consisting of two paratroop units, four light armored units, and nine motorized infantry units located in Tahoua, Agadez, Dirkou, Zinder, Nguigmi, N'Gourti, and Madaweli. In January 2003, Niger deployed a company of troops to Cote d Ivoire as part of the ECOWAS Stabilization force. In 1991, Niger sent a 400-man military contingent to join the American-led allied forces against Iraq during the Gulf War. Niger's defense budget is modest, accounting for about 1.6 % of government expenditures. France provides the largest share of military assistance to Niger. Morocco, Algeria, China, and Germany also provide military assistance. Approximately 15 French military advisers are in Niger. Many Nigerien military personnel receive training in France, and the Nigerien Armed Forces are equipped mainly with materiel either given by or purchased in France. U.S. assistance has focused on training pilots and aviation support personnel, professional military education for staff officers, and initial specialty training for junior officers. A small foreign military assistance program was initiated in 1983, and a U.S. Defense Attache office opened in June 1985. After accepting Security Assistance Office responsibilities in 1987, it was subsequently closed in 1996. A U.S. Defense Attache office reopened in July 2000. The United States provided transportation and logistical assistance to Nigerien troops deployed to Cote d Ivoire in 2003. U.S.-NIGERIEN RELATIONS U.S. relations with Niger have generally been close and friendly since Niger attained independence. Although USAID does not have an office in Niger, $8 million in official aid is administered through American and local non-governmental organizations with programs addressing food security, HIV/ AIDS, and democracy and governance. The U.S. Peace Corps program, started in Niger in 1962, averages about 100 volunteers in country. Principal U.S. Officials AmbassadorGail Dennise Mathieu Deputy Chief of MissionW. Stuart Symington Defense AttacheMajor Leah McKnight Joint Administrative OfficerSue Brown Economic/Commercial/Consular OfficerCharles Morrill Political OfficerRichard Swart Public Affairs OfficerLou Lantner Peace Corps DirectorJames Bullington The U.S. Embassy in Niger is located on the Avenue des Ambassadeurs. The telephone numbers for the embassy are (227) 72-26-61 through 65, and the fax number is (227) 73-31-67. The mailing address is B.P. 11201, Niamey. TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements. Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas which pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system: 202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad are on the internet and hard copies can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250. Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000. Passport information can be obtained by calling the National Passport Information Center's automated system ($.35 per minute) or live operators 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday ($1.05 per minute). The number is 1-900-225-5674 (TDD: 1-900-225-7778). Major credit card users (for a flat rate of $4.95) may call 1-888-362-8668 (TDD: 1-888-498-3648). It also is available on the internet. Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800. Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country, see "Principal Government Officials" listing in this publication). U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register at the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country (see "Principal U.S. Embassy Officials" listing in this publication). This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency. Further Electronic Information Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://state.gov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background Notes; daily press briefings; Country Commercial Guides; directories of key officers of Foreign Service posts and more. National Trade Data Bank (NTDB). Operated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the NTDB contains a wealth of trade-related information. It is available on the Internet (www.stat-usa.gov) and on CD-ROM. Call the NTDB Help-Line at (202) 482-1986 for more information. *********************************************************** See http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/ for all Background notes ************************************************************ To change your subscription, go to http://www.state.gov/www/listservs_cms.html | |
|
