Niger is home to a longstanding insurgency.  The Tuareg are a nomadic people who live all across West and North Africa.  In Niger, they live in the north on the edge of the Sahara desert where they have lived for centuries.  These people have rebelled against the government of Niger on several occasions in 1916-1917, 1961-1964, 1990-1995 and the current rebellion which began in February of 2007 and is still ongoing.  There are distinct nuances to each of these rebellions and I am no expert and have not read up on all the facts but it seems that the undercurrent of the problem is that the Tuaregs have felt and still feel marginalized and, in some ways, exploited by the government.

If you want to read some recent news articles relating to this topic, see below:
FACTBOX-Uprisings by Tuareg rebels in Mali and Niger
2 killed in Tuareg attack in Niger
Areva is ‘nobody’s enemy’ in Niger after Tuareg rebel threats

Slavery still exists.  In countries all over the world, today in 2008, people are bought and sold and spend their whole lives as slaves.  Their children are born into slavery.  In our own country, the Thirteenth Amendment legally protects Americans from slavery but in other countries, despite legal measures, it remains a reality.

Niger is one such country.  Although officially outlawed, there are estimated to be 40-50,000 slaves across Niger.  The government does little to curb or punish what has become a cultural practice for some people groups.

This week, in a landmark case, a Nigerien ex-slave won a victory in the West African (ECOWAS) court.  The court ruled in favour of Hadijatou Mani deciding that the government of Niger had failed to protect her from slavery.  Hopefully this will set a legal precedent that will enable the tens of thousands of slaves across West Africa to pursue their freedom.

Here are two articles if you want to find out more about the case and about the issue of slavery in Niger.
Niger ex-slave wins landmark case
Niger slavery: Background

As many of you know, it is Katie’s and my hope to serve the Lord in Niger, West Africa.  In talking with people, it has become obvious that few people have even heard of Niger…let alone know anything about it besides that it is a country in Africa.  So I would like to start sharing with you news stories, facts and other things so that you will begin to better know and understand the place Katie and I will be calling home!

To better help you find Niger-themed posts of my blog, search or click the “Niger” tag.