Country profile: Niger

A vast, arid state on the edge of the Sahara desert, Niger endured austere military rule for much of its post-independence history and is rated by the UN as one of the world's least-developed nations.

The drought-prone country sometimes struggles to feed its people. Its main export, uranium, is prone to price fluctuations and agriculture is threatened by the encroaching desert. Niger is bargaining on oil exploration and gold mining to boost its fortunes.

Overview

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

Historically a gateway between North and sub-Saharan Africa, Niger came under French rule in the late 1890s.

AT-A-GLANCE Politics: President Tandja was re-elected in 2004. Tuareg rebels relaunched a rebellion in 2007 Economy: UN says Niger is world's poorest country; government aims to reduce economic dependence on uranium International: Niger shares borders with seven countries. Some boundaries are disputed Timeline

After independence in 1960 its progress was stymied by political instability and a five-year drought, which devastated livestock and crops.

With little primary education, Niger has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Its health system is basic and disease is widespread.

After a break of a decade, Niger again experienced an insurgency by Tuareg rebels in the north in 2007.

The Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) complained that a 1995 peace deal that ended the previous insurgency has never been fully implemented and that the region remains marginalised. The group demands greater autonomy and a larger share of uranium revenue.

In 2009, the MNJ and the government held talks in Libya, at which they committed themselves to a "total and comprehensive" peace.

In 1999 voters overwhelmingly approved a new constitution providing for presidential and legislative multi-party elections. These took place later in the year and saw Mamadou Tandja elected as president.

Niger banned the centuries-old practice of slavery in 2003. But anti-slavery organisations say thousands of people still live in subjugation.

Facts

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

• Full name: The Republic of Niger
• Population: 14.7 million (UN, 2008)
• Capital: Niamey
• Area: 1.27 million sq km (489,000 sq miles)
• Major languages: French (official), Arabic, Hausa, Songhai
• Major religions: Islam, indigenous beliefs
• Life expectancy: 58 years (men), 56 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
• Main exports: Uranium, livestock products
• GNI per capita: US $280 (World Bank, 2007)
• Internet domain: .ne
• International dialling code: +227

Leaders

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

President: Mamadou Tandja

Mamadou Tandja comfortably won a second term

Former military man Mamadou Tandja won a second and final term in the second round of presidential elections in December 2004.

After initially promising to step down when his term was to end in December 2009, Mr Tandja instead sought a constitutional amendment to overturn a provision banning him from standing for a third term.

However, the Constitutional Court twice ruled his plans for a referendum on the measure illegal. It said the vote had to be approved by parliament, where the president was unlikely to achieve the three-quarters majority needed.

Mr Tandja reacted by disbanding both the court and parliament, and assuming emergency powers.

Opposition parties accused him of having mounted a coup, and foreign governments - including the US and former colonial power France - voiced grave concern about the developments.

Supporters argue that Mr Tandja brought economic growth, and deserved a longer stay in power.

He first took office in 1999 and heads the ruling National Movement for Society and Development.

Before 2009, Mamadou Tandja had been widely praised for overseeing a return to relative stability. But poverty, unemployment and a large foreign debt remain key challenges.

Born in 1938, he took part in a coup which overthrew Diori Hamani, Niger's first elected president, in 1974, and subsequently served as interior minister.

He stood in the 1993 presidential election but was beaten by Mahamane Ousmane. In 1996 he again ran for president, but lost to the incumbent ruler, Ibrahim Mainassara.

Media

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

The state controls much of the nation's broadcasting, though private radio stations have proliferated.

Radio is the most important outlet for news and information, owing to low literacy levels. Niger has a government-run daily newspaper and a handful of private papers, some strongly partisan.

Radio France Internationale operates FM relays in the capital Niamey, and in Maradi and Zinder provinces. BBC World Service is available in the capital (100.4 FM).

There were 40,000 internet users by September 2007 (ITU figure), comprising 0.3% of the population.

The press

• Le Sahel - state-run
• Le Republicain - weekly

Television

• Tele-Sahel - state-run
• Dounia TV - private, Niamey
• Tenere TV - private, Niamey-based
• Telestar - pay-TV, Niamey

Radio

• La Voix du Sahel - state-run, sole national station; broadcasts in French, Arabic, Hausa and vernacular languages
• Anfani FM - private, aims to promote social development, health, education
• Tambara FM - private, aims to promote interests of women and children
• R&M (Radio et Musique) - Niamey-based; first private station
• Horizon FM - private, Niamey-based
• Tenere FM - private, Niamey-based
• Africa No 1 - Pan-African radio, relayed in Niamey on FM