Niger President committed to preventing starvation

The President of Niger, Tandja Mammadou, has re-affirmed that the fight against starvation is a top priority for his administration.

Speaking in a BBC interview on the first anniversary of his democratic accession to power, President Mammadou said price subsidies would continue for crops like millet and maize.

And he said irrigation projects were being extended, to counter the effects of the drought which is threatening to bring starvation to large areas of Niger.

On co-operation with opponents, Mr Mammadou said he hoped to work with the opposition alliance, but he did not believe the time was yet right.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service