Jul 02 2009

Niger crisis threatens country’s stability - U.N

Category: NIGER NEWS ( ENGLISH ) — NIGER1.COM @ 10:27 pm
* U.N. adds to international criticism of Tandja’s plan

* Power extension bid undermining democracy

DAKAR, July 2 (Reuters) - The United Nations added its voice on Thursday to growing international criticism of actions taken by Niger’s President Mamadou Tandja to extend his rule in the uranium mining West African country.

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the ongoing political and constitutional crisis in Niger, which threatens to destabilize the country and undermine the progress made in recent years to consolidate democratic governance and the rule of law,” a spokesman for Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the White House said Tandja’s plan to hold a referendum that would enable him to rule beyond his second term in office, which is due to expire later this year, was undermining the rule of law.

Tandja has said the population of Niger want him to remain in power to oversee major projects. French energy firm Areva (CEPFi.PA) is building what would be Africa’s biggest uranium mine, while China’s state-owned petrochemicals company signed a $5 billion oil deal last year.

Former colonial power France on Tuesday criticised Tandja’s dissolution of the constitutional court, the body which had declared the planned referendum unlawful, while the European Union said on the same day that Tandja’s moves could threaten aid to the impoverished desert country.

Niger’s main opposition leader, Mahamadou Issoufou, was briefly detained on Tuesday after calling on the military to disobey orders, while opposition calls for a general strike in Niger were largely ignored on Wednesday. (Reporting by Daniel Magnowski; Editing by Louise Ireland)

Jul 02 2009

April 1st 2004 Michael Jackson , received an award from Niger’s former Ambassador’s wife

Category: NIGER NEWS ( ENGLISH ) — NIGER1.COM @ 10:13 am

On April 2004 Michael Jackson receives a humanitarian award from Haoua Diata, wife of the  former Nigerien Ambassador, during the annual African Ambasadors Spouses Association function at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington on Thursday. — Reuters

Souvenir 1 er Avril 2004 Michael Jackson reçoit un prix humanitaire de Haoua Diatta, des mains de l’épouse de l’ancien  ambassadeur du Niger a Washington , d’Afrique lors de la rencontre annuel des ” African Ambasadors spouses  Association “a l’ambassade  d’Éthiopie à Washingto

At the AASA Gala in Washington D.C. (USA) on April 1, 2004, Michael Jackson was honored for his worldwide philantropic work, particularily in Africa. He accepted the award with the following statement:

To His Excellency Olhaye Oudine Roble and Mrs. Roble, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, thank you for your attendance and support. I would like to thank Mrs. Zhor Jazairy, wife of His Excellency Idriss Jaziary, of Algeria, President of the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association, and Mrs. Haoua Diatta, Chairperson of the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association’s Gala, and the wife of His Excellency Joseph Diatta of Niger. Also, thank you Ambassador and Mrs. Kassahun Aleye, our hosts for the evening, and their dedicated staff. Your Embassy is splendid. And, I would like to thank all of the wonderful spouses of the 51 African Nations, who comprise the

African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association. I am deeply humbled and honored to be

tonight with you. The African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association was founded 26 years ago, with the mission to provide assistance to programs, benefiting underprivileged children in the 51 participating countries. They have done so much, and need all of our assistance in helping them to continue to make life better for the people in their Countries. On June 4th, here in Washington, D.C. … the Spouses Association will host their Gala, where the proceeds will go to provide aid to crippled children. I will be supporting them in their effort 100%, and encourage you all to do so.

Over the last several days, I have been meeting with members of Congress. Yesterday, several Ambassadors joined us in our discussion concerning how we can all work together to combat the AIDS epidemic, poverty and other major issues affecting our African family. It is very important to me to help to raise awareness, and funds, for our sister continent…

Africa. The statistics are staggering; there are still 9,000 people dying a day of AIDS; there are still children who are overflowing the orphanages; there are so many who are starving and dying of diseases… diseases that we just take aspirin for. As I have said all week, many of life’s pleasures that we take advantage of: running water, electricity, paved roads, working toilets, beds and food, are mere dreams for many in Africa. This cannot continue.

We must use whatever resources we have, to work together to help combat all of these problems. Several members of Congress have pledged their support in our efforts: by continuing to raise the awareness of the American people; and, to continue their fight for proper funding for programs affecting Africa. This is a good thing and we must support them.Again, thank you, African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association, for what you are doing, I am humbled and honored by this award. And, let me say, you have a friend in Michael Jackson.”

Jul 01 2009

White House: Niger’s actions worrisome

Category: NIGER NEWS ( ENGLISH ) — NIGER1.COM @ 10:26 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says it’s worried about Niger President Mamadou Tandja’s decision to dissolve his nation’s top court in an apparent effort to extend power.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement Wednesday that the United States is concerned about Tandja’s attempt to hold onto his office despite term limits. Gibbs says the actions undermine the African nation’s progress toward good governance.

Tandja is trying to stay in power after he finishes his second, five-year term in December. Security forces arrested Tandja’s main opposition leader on Tuesday.

Gibbs says the White House is pleased the African Union has sent a delegation and will continue to monitor the situation.

Jul 01 2009

Japan and China in Botswana follow French example in Niger?

Category: NIGER NEWS ( ENGLISH ) — NIGER1.COM @ 4:35 pm
One hundred and eleven Chinese enterprises now own exploration licenses to dig up Botswana for Uranium and other raw materials. China, which is competing with Japan over Botswanan resources, currently has 12 nuclear reactors under construction, with another 33 planned and another 80 proposed. The Chinese mining activities in Botswana have been compared to French mining activities in Niger.

Reports have claimed that the Chinese, who are not content with holding equity or being in joint ventures with exploration companies in Botswana, are now focusing on full control of their exploration activities.

According to the Johannes Tsimako, Chief Geologist at the Department of Geological Services (DGS), “The Chinese companies would prefer to hold 100 percent equity in the company holding ground and would rather own the exploration license themselves. Even if they bought into an existing company, they would want to take it over.”

Global recession

Observers say that the hunt for copper, nickel, uranium and coal, among other minerals is China’s effort to balance the effects of the global recession. With Botswana fast emerging as the new uranium destination, after Niger, Chinese companies are eager to take over the uranium mines in the country and satisfy the huge demand for energy in China. “The Chinese are venturing into areas which have huge potential for exploration and development of these resources,” added Tsimako.

Meanwhile, as news of the Chinese takeover continues to hit headlines, it must be noted that their move is not new to Africa. France per example, is developing a $1.5bn mine in Niger, which is expected to yield 5,000 tonnes of uranium per year when it opens in 2012. Areva, the French nuclear energy giant formerly known as Cogema, has had major holdings in uranium mining in the Western African country for about 40 years.

Just like Areva, the Chinese companies taking over Botswana’s mines are being empowered by their government. Despite the reduced export earnings due to weaker international markets at the wake of a global recession, the Chinese government doled out multi-billion US dollar stimulus to maintain development growth.

Experts have ruled out a possible resource-war, facilitated by foreign governments interested in Botswana’s wealth of resources, owing to the fact that Botswana is a middle-income nation, a fairly stable country, relatively free of corruption and has a decent human rights record.

Japanese companies have also increased their presence on the Botswana mining sector to compete with the Chinese, but unlike Areva which has been in Niger for decades raking in an annual 428 million euros in profits in a backdrop of abstract poverty, observers expect Botswana and its people to benefit from the Asian resource hunt.

Jul 01 2009

Email is boring let’s talk with Skype, Google Talk, Msn Messenger, Yahoo Messenger

Category: NIGER NEWS ( ENGLISH ) — NIGER1.COM @ 2:24 pm
  • You left  Niger weeks , months or may be years ago and you miss speaking    Hausa , Zarma  , orTamasheq etc…. or may be you just want to listen to some Nigerien music , reminisce and reconnect  ?
  • Or may be you are preparing a trip to Niger and have  ton of questions   and need some local  languages classes.

Niger1.com Niger away from Niger is inviting you to join a skype conference all day

sunday  you can find us on skype using keyword “niger1.com”

If you don’ t have a skype account yet it’s free just download it , in a few minutes here

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