| Two Canadians U.N envoys and their driver kidnapped |
| 16 Dec 2008 |
| A splinter group of Niger's ethnic Tuareg rebel movement -- the Niger Movement for Justice -- claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of two Canadian diplomats and their Nigerien driver on 16 December 2008. The Canadians, who are U.N. special envoys to Niger, and their local driver were reportedly abducted the previous day approximately 28 mi/45 km northwest of the capital Niamey, near the town of Karma. Authorities report that the diplomats visited the Canadian-owned Samira Hill gold mine in the western Tillaberi region and were likely kidnapped on their return to the capital. The rebels claimed that the diplomats were kidnapped in a "commando operation" that was intended to warn diplomats not to do business with Niger's "ethnocidal regime." Although kidnappings are common in the country's northern regions, abductions near Niamey and in the country's south are relatively rare.
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| Rebels attack Agadez |
| 14 Jul 2008 |
| Sources reported on 12 July 2008 that Tuareg rebels of the Niger Justice Movement (NJM) attacked the garrison town of Agadez, the major town in the uranium-producing northern region of the country, on 10 July. Authorities stated that the rebels fired rockets and heavy weapons on Agadez but no significant damage or casualties resulted from the attack. This is the second attack on the town since the June 2007 raid on Mano Dayak International Airport (DRZA/AJY).
On 12 July the rebels issued a statement on their Web site warning civilians to move away from military posts and governmental buildings. The rebels stated that they launched the raid to disprove government claims that NJM has weakened since the death of its deputy commander.
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| 30,000 protest over increasing costs |
| 11 Jul 2008 |
| On 10 July 2008 approximately 30,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Niamey, the capital, shouting slogans and demanding relief from the increasing costs of food staples and the ongoing power blackouts in the country. Residents have been increasingly affected by the global trend of the rising cost of food, which in Niger has increased more than 20 percent in 2008. Locals have also experienced frequent blackouts due to power supply disturbances in neighboring Nigeria, which provides 90 percent of Niger's electricity. The government has been working on various measures to alleviate growing costs, including the signing of a three-month price-freeze agreement with rice importers in April 2008. With the agreement due to expire, there is fear that the higher prices will deepen the crisis situation in Niger.
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| Rebels release French hostages |
| 27 Jun 2008 |
| On 26 June 2008 Tuareg rebels released four French hostages who had been abducted in northwest Niger on 22 June from a uranium mine operated by Areva, a French-owned company. Tuareg rebels of the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) kidnapped the French nationals in the town of Arlit and stated that the move was meant to put pressure on Areva and the Niger government to allocate more revenues for locals in the northern mining region. Red Cross officials stated that the freed hostages were being transferred to authorities in Niamey, the capital.
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| French hostages released |
| 26 Jun 2008 |
| Rebels in Niger have freed four French workers they kidnapped from a uranium mine, handing them to the Red Cross. The aid organisation said it would take the four to the capital Niamey and hand them to the authorities on Thursday.
The Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) snatched the group, who work for French nuclear firm Areva, on the weekend in the northern town of Arlit. The MNJ, led by the nomadic Tuareg people, is fighting for a larger share of northern Niger's mineral wealth.
For several months, the north of the country has been in a state of emergency and cut off from the rest of the country. The government recently promised to provide military protection for uranium mines and oil installations.
The MNJ said on its website that the kidnapping was intended to show that the government could not live up to its promise of protecting foreign workers.
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| Uranium mine attacked & 4 workers kidknapped |
| 23 Jun 2008 |
| Tuareg militant rebels attacked a uranium mine in northwest Niger and kidnapped four French workers on 22 June 2008. Authorities stated that the mine is owned and operated by the French company Areva and is located near the town of Arlit. The Niger Justice Movement (MNJ) rebel group claimed responsibility for the attack. The rebels stated that they will release the workers with a message for the company management, and that they are not hostile to Areva or any other foreign companies. Preparations for the hostages’ release are reportedly underway as of 23 June. Rebel fighters have staged attacks against private companies to demand a greater share of the wealth from the uranium mines and oil industry.
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