NIGER. Republic of Niger
A country in West Africa. Territory - 1,267 thousand km², of which 3/4 is occupied by deserts. Capital - Niamey (over 700 thousand). Administrative-territorial division - 7 departments. Population - 10.7 million (2001), the most numerous ethnic groups: Hausa (6 million), Zarma-Songhai (2.3 million), Fulbe (1 million), Tuareg (0.8 million), Kanuri (0.5 million). Official language - French. Religion - Sunni Islam, which is practiced by about 90% of the population. 23% of the population lives in cities. Currency - CFA franc (African Financial Community, 1000 CFA francs correspond to 1.52 euros).
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on November 17, 1972).
National holiday - December 18 - Day of Proclamation of the Republic (1958).
Niger has a semi-presidential system, which implies a division of powers between a president, elected by universal direct voting for a term of 5 years, and a prime minister, nominated by parliament and appointed by the president. Legislative power belongs to the National Assembly (83 deputies, elected by universal direct voting for 4 years).
The country has more than 30 political parties and organizations. The largest among them are the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD) and the Democratic and Social Convention (CDS), which hold a majority in parliament, as well as the opposition party - the Coalition of Democratic Forces (CDF).
The National Union of Workers of Niger operates as a trade union center, along with the youth organization Union of Nigerien Students, several women's organizations, and religious associations.
The first mentions of state formations on the territory of Niger date back to the 7th century AD. In the 11th century, Tuaregs, nomadic herders of Berber origin who came from North Africa, settled in the Air Plateau region, assimilating with some farming Hausa. Starting from the 14th century, the Hausa created their city-states in southern Niger. In the 16th century, the army of the Songhai Empire (centered in Gao) captured vast areas of western and central Niger, including the Sultanate of Agadez. Later, Moroccan troops conquered Songhai. In the early 17th century, many Zarma migrants from this state settled east of the Niger River and became sedentary farmers. In the 18th century, groups of Tuaregs restored their independence and moved westward to raid the lands of the former Songhai Empire. In the early 19th century, Hausa lands became the arena of a holy war (jihad) until the appearance of the Sudanese conqueror Rabah at the end of the century.
In 1900, the "Military Autonomous Territory of Zinder" was created (in 1910 it was transformed into the "Military Territory of Niger"), which was included in the colony of Upper Senegal - Niger, part of French West Africa (FWA). In 1922, the territory of Niger was separated into a separate colony within FWA. According to the results of a referendum held in 1958 on the French constitution project, Niger joined the French Community.
After proclaiming independence in 1960, the prominent political and public figure of the country, Hamani Diori, was elected president of the Republic (1960-74). On April 15, 1974, amid a severe economic and social crisis in Niger, a coup occurred. The Supreme Military Council, led by Colonel Seyni Kountché, came to power. The 1960 constitution was abolished, political activity and political parties were banned. After the death of Kountché in November 1987, Colonel Ali Saïbou became the head of state. In September 1989, a new constitution of Niger was adopted, and in December 1989, Saïbou was elected head of the country. In 1990, political parties were allowed to operate.
The Constitution of the III Republic, developed by the transitional period bodies (1991-93), was adopted in December 1992. In the presidential elections held in March 1993, the leader of the Alliance of Forces for Change, Mahamadou Issoufou, won. In January 1996, a military coup occurred in Niger. Former leaders of the country were arrested, the government and parliament were dissolved, parties were banned, and the constitution was suspended. Full power passed to the National Salvation Council (CNS) created by the military, headed by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Niger, Colonel Ibrahim Mainassara Baré. In May 1996, a referendum on a new constitution was held. In the July 1996 elections, Baré was elected president of the IV Republic. Freedoms of the press and political activity were restored.
On February 7, 1999, local, municipal, and departmental elections were held in Niger. As a result, Niger was administratively divided into 7 departments, 36 districts, and 72 municipalities.
On April 9, 1999, a coup occurred in Niger. I. M. Baré was killed. The temporary government was headed by former head of presidential security Major D. M. Wanké. The new regime established a transitional 9-month period with two electoral campaigns: a referendum on a new constitution and general presidential elections.
Following the two rounds of presidential elections (October 17 and November 24, 1999), Colonel Mamadou Tandja, leader of the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD), won with 59.9% of the votes. His election as the first president of the V Republic, as well as the elections for a new composition of the National Assembly held on the same day, marked the final stage of the 9-month transitional period. Power passed to the newly democratically elected state institutions. The country returned to the path of legal democratic development.
In 2004, municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections were held in Niger. The presidential coalition achieved a significant victory, obtaining 62% of the seats in local government and 69% in parliament. By a majority of votes in the second round of voting, Mamadou Tandja was re-elected for a second presidential term.
Niger is a member of the UN (since 1960), WTO, AU, OIC, International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), Community of Sahel-Saharan States, West African Economic and Monetary Union, ECOWAS.
Niger is a country with an underdeveloped agrarian-raw material economy, according to the UNDP classification (2004), it ranks second to last (176th). The income per capita is $310 per year. The population growth rate (3.3% per year) outpaces economic development indicators, leading to the impoverishment of the population, 63% of which lives below the poverty line with an income of $100 per year, of which many live below the absolute poverty line. The mortality rate is 20 per 1000 people, and the child mortality rate is 123 per 1000 children. 83% of adults are illiterate. The average life expectancy does not exceed 47 years, and half of the population is under 15 years old.
The economy is dominated by the "informal sector." GDP in 2004 increased by 4% compared to the previous year and amounted to $3.3 billion. Government expenditures generally exceed budget revenues. The resulting deficit is covered by external aid ($3.27 million in 2004) and loans ($12.4 million).
According to estimates by IMF and World Bank experts, Niger meets the conditions under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative, allowing the government to achieve debt relief (1.25 billion dollars in 2004), as well as the cancellation of 95% of the debt to 5 countries of the Paris Club: France, the USA, the UK, Spain, and Japan, as well as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, and Libya. The external debt amounts to about $2 billion, with $15 million spent on servicing it in 2004.
The main sector of the economy is agriculture (its share in GDP is 38%). The average annual production of cereals is 2.7 million tons, peanuts - 120 thousand tons, sugarcane - 140 thousand tons, and onions and cotton are traditionally cultivated and exported. Livestock accounts for 11% of GDP. The country has 2.2 million head of cattle, 10.8 million small and medium-sized cattle, 400 thousand camels, and 100 thousand horses.
The volume of industrial production is 12% of GDP. The main industry is uranium mining - 3 thousand tons per year (3rd place in the world after Canada and Australia). Manganese, iron, and coal reserves are also being developed. The country has enterprises for the production of building materials and primary processing of agricultural raw materials.
Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in the tourism sector, primarily associated with the establishment of certain political stability and the resumption of air communication between Niamey and Europe.
The transport infrastructure is poorly developed. There is no railway communication. The road network has about 20 thousand km (of which many are paved). International airports are located in Niamey and Agadez. Navigation is carried out on the Niger River. Most foreign trade cargo passes through the seaport of Cotonou (Benin).
The foreign trade turnover amounts to about $1 billion. Uranium concentrate, leather, hides, as well as vegetables (onions, garlic, beans) and gum arabic are exported. Almost all industrial products are imported. The main trading partners are France and other EU countries, Japan, and neighboring states.
Education is provided through primary, secondary, and vocational schools, which are attended by about 20% of school-age children. The main university is the University of Niamey (established in 1973). Among the scientific institutions are the Bureau of Geology and Mining, the Center for Social Research, the Technical Center for Tropical Forestry, and the Institute of Tropical Agronomy. There is also a National Museum and a Center for Arts and Crafts.
The media is represented by the Niger Press Agency (ANP), several government periodicals, and more than 20 independent newspapers and radio stations. Radio broadcasting leads in terms of information volume and audience reach. The central radio station is "Voice of the Sahel." Broadcasts are transmitted in French and mainly in the national languages. Television was established in 1964, but regular broadcasts have been conducted since 1979.