Niger General Information Area: 1,267,000 sq km (489,191 sq miles). Population: 10,400,000 (1999). Population Density: 8.2 per sq km. Capital: Niamey. Population: 500,000 (1994). GEOGRAPHY: Niger has borders with Libya and Algeria to the north, Chad to the east, Nigeria and Benin to the south, and Mali and Burkina Faso to the west. The capital, Niamey, stands on the north bank of the Niger River and has long been a major trading centre on this important navigable waterway. The river meanders for 500km (300 miles) through the southwestern corner of the country. To the east is a band of semi-arid bush country along the border with Nigeria, shrinking by 20km (12 miles) every year as over-grazing claims more land for the Ténéré Desert, which already occupies over half of Niger. This desert is divided by a range of low mountains, Aïr ou Azbine, in the eastern foothills of which lies the city of Agadez. Surrounded by green valleys and hot springs amid semi-desert, this regional capital is still a major terminus for Saharan caravans. The desert to the west of the mountains is a stony plain hosting seasonal pastures; to the north and west are mostly vast expanses of sand. There is arable land beside Lake Chad in the extreme southeastern corner of the country. The Hausa people live along the border with Nigeria and most are farmers. The Songhai and Djerma people live in the Niger valley and exist by farming and fishing. The nomadic Fulani have spread all over the Sahel. The robed and veiled Tuaregs once dominated the southern cities; the few who remain are camel herders and caravanners on the Saharan routes. The Manga (or Kanun) live near Lake Chad and are well known for their colourful ceremonies in which pipes and drums accompany slow, stately dancing. Government: Republic since 1960. Head of State: President Mamadou Tandja since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Hama Amadou since 2000. Language: The official language is French. Also spoken are Hausa (by half of the population), Djerma, Fulani, Manga, Zarma and Tuareg dialects. Religion: Approximately 95 per cent Muslim, with Christian and Animist minorities. Time: GMT + 1. Electricity: 220/380 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 227 (no area codes). Outgoing international code: 00. Telephone services are provided by Société Nigérienne des Télécommunications (SONITEL). Mobile telephone GSM 900. Main network provider is Celtel Niger (website: www.msi-cellular.com). Telegram Services are available from the Chief Telegraph Office, Niamey, some hotels and other telegraph offices. There are three rates of charge. Fax Available in large hotels in urban areas. Internet The main ISP is SONITEL. Internet access can be found in major urban areas. Post Airmail to Western Europe takes up to two weeks. Post offices are generally open 0730-1230 and 1530-1800. Press All newspapers are published in French; most are weeklies. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.83 15.40 11.77 7.160 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.58 11.98 6.035 0.909 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes Yes Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes Yes Yes OtherEU Yes 1 Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for six months required by all, except holders of National ID Cards issued to Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) 1. nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Finland, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Norway, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Tunisia; (b) alien residents holding a vaild ‘Permis de Séjour’ or ‘Visa de Séjour’; (c) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours and who do not leave the airport. Some nationals do require a visa for transit. Contact Consular section at Embassy for further information. Types of visa and cost: Ordinary: US$35.58 (one-month stay); US$88.94 (up to three-month stay). Validity: Up to three months, depending on purpose of stay. Application to: Nearest Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) Three completed application forms. (b) Three passport-size photos. (c) A return or onward ticket. (d) Proof of sufficient funds (eg bank letter). (e) Yellow fever vaccination certificate (cholera also required if travelling from a neighbouring country which has reported an outbreak). (f) Postal applications should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed, registered envelope. (g) Fee, payable by cash or postal order. Tourist: (a)-(g) and, (h) Bank statement or proof of at least US$500 (for road travellers). Working days required: Two. A visa can be processed within 24 hours for an extra fee of US$20. Exit permit: Must be obtained from the Immigration Department in Niamey before departure (except for nationals who do not require an entry visa). Note: Passports must be presented to the police in each town where an overnight stay is intended. Passports are stamped at each town, so blank pages will be required. It is prohibited to travel by any route other than that stamped in the passport by the police. Money Currency: CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (CFAfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2500, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Niger is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro. Currency exchange: Currency can be exchanged at the airport as well as at main banks and hotels. Credit & debit cards: MasterCard and Diners Club are both accepted on a limited basis. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: Accepted by hotels, restaurants, most shops and airline offices. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros. Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is unrestricted. Export of local currency is limited to CFAfr25,000. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the CFA Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 1035.90 1025.70 1038.27 966.15 $1.00= 710.84 674.41 656.55 606.78 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1100 and 1600-1700. Duty Free The following items may be imported into Niger by passengers of 15 years of age or older without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 bottle of spirits and 1 bottle of wine; 500ml of eau de toilette and 250ml of perfume. Restricted items: A licence is required for sporting guns. Customs must authorise their temporary admission. Digging up or attempting to export ancient artefacts is prohibited. Pornography is prohibited. Apparatus for transmission or reception needs special authorisation (as does photographic equipment, see Photography in the Social Profile section). Selling cars without permission is prohibited. Public Holidays Dec 6-8 2002 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 18 Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Feb 12 Tabaske (Feast of the Sacrifice). Apr 21 Easter Monday. Apr 24 National Concord Day. May 1 Labour Day. May 14 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed). Aug 3 Independence Day. Nov 26-28 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 18 Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Tabaske (Feast of the Sacrifice). Apr 12 Easter Monday. Apr 24 National Concord Day. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed). Aug 3 Independence Day. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 18 Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Tabaske may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. Niger’s small Christian community also observes Easter, Whitsun, Ascension, Assumption, All Saints’ Day and Christmas. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever Yes 1 Cholera Yes 2 Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers over one year of age arriving from all countries: it is also recommended for all travellers leaving Niger. 2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Niger. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for further information. 3: Polio and typhoid both occur. 4: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country. Chloroquine-resistance has been reported. Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Filariasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis are also reported; avoid insect bites. Long-staying visitors, particularly backpackers and those living with local people, should consider meningococcal meningitis, diphtheria and hepatitis B vaccinations. Hepatitis A, C and E are widespread. HIV is a danger and rabies may be present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: The two main hospitals are in Niamey and Zinder. Only the main centres have reasonable medical facilities. Personal medicines should be brought in as these can be difficult or impossible to obtain in Niger. Full health insurance is essential and should include cover for emergency repatriation. Travel - International AIR: Most international flights are operated by Air Afrique (RK). Other airlines serving Niger include Air France, Air Algerie, Royal Air Maroc and Sudan Airways. (There are no direct flights to Niger from the UK.) Approximate flight times: From London to Niamey is 6 hours excluding stopover time in Paris. International airports: Niamey (NIM), 12km (7.5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 10 minutes). Airport facilities include bars, shops, post office, currency exchange and car hire. Taxi services are available to the city. Hotels have their own vehicles and provide free transport for their clients between the hotel and the airport. Departure tax: None. ROAD: There are main roads from Kano (Nigeria) to Zinder, and from Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. The principal trans-Sahara desert track runs from Algiers to Asamakka and Arlit, with a paved road to Agadez. Desert driving can be difficult, marker beacons may not always be visible, and petrol is not always available. Bus: Services operate from Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. Travel - Internal Note: It is essential that all visitors report to the police station in any town where they are making an overnight stop; see the Passport/Visa section. AIR: Air Niger runs services from Niamey to Agadez, Zinder, Arlit and Maradi. Charter flights can be arranged; contact Air Niger or Transniger in Niamey. ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. There are an estimated 13,808km (8580 miles) of classified roads, 3256km (2020 miles) of which are main roads. Principal internal roads are from Niamey to Zinder, Tahoua, Arlit and Gaya. Many tracks are impassable during heavy rain. The best season for road travel is from December to March. Petrol stations are infrequent and garages are extremely expensive. It is prohibited to travel by a different route than the one entered in the passport by the police at the previous town. It is necessary to pay a toll on main routes. Bus: There are reasonable services between the main centres, even though many roads have been sealed. Coach services operate from Niamey to Zinder, Agadez, N’guemi and Tera. Elsewhere, it is common practice to pay for rides in cross-country lorries; note that this can be an extremely slow and uncomfortable means of transport and that extra payment is expected of those who wish to ride in the cab. Car hire: Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available, the latter being compulsory outside the capital. Note: Much of the country requires four-wheel-drive vehicles, guides and full equipment. Documentation: An International Driving Permit and a Carnet de Passage are required. Minimum age is 23. Two photos are required. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Niamey to other major cities and towns in Niger. Air Road Zinder 0.45 12.00 Maradi - 9.00 Tahoua - 7.00 Dosso - 1.00 Tillabéri - 4.50 Agadez - 17.00 Accommodation Hotel accommodation is difficult to obtain and reservations for major international hotels should be booked overseas. All reservations should be made well in advance. There are good hotels in Niamey, Zinder, Ayorou, La Tapoa, Maradi and Agadez. There are also ‘Encampments’ in Agadez, Boubon, Namaro and Tillabéri. Local hotels are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information, contact the Ministère du Tourisme et d’Artisanat or the National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction Niamey: Spread along the northern bank of the River Niger, Niamey is a sprawling city with a modern centre and shanty towns on the outskirts. The two markets, the Small and Great markets, are worth a visit. Other places of interest include the Great Mosque, the National Museum (including a large park with botanical gardens and a zoo, and an artisan/crafts area), the Franco-Nigerian Cultural Centre and the Hippodrome where horse and camel races often take place on Sundays. Tours of the city are available. Outside Niamey is the famous ‘W’ National Park, with its abundant wildlife including buffalos, elephants, lions, hyenas, jackals and baboons. The birdlife is also prolific. Agadez: This beautiful old Tuareg capital is still a caravan trading city: it also now has a thriving tourist trade. Beautiful silver- and leatherwork can be bought in the back streets and the minaret of the mosque can be climbed at sunset for a spectacular view of the town. Aïr Mountains: The Aïr Mountains, north of Agadez, enjoy slightly more rain than the surrounding semi-desert lowlands and were, until recently, home to many species of animals not generally seen at this latitude – leopards, lions and giraffes for example. However, the drought has even taken hold here and the stranded populations are dwindling rapidly. Special permission may be required to visit the region. Expeditions can be arranged through the mountains to the springs at Igouloulef and Tafadek or the prehistoric site at Iferouane and beyond the Ténéré Desert and the Djado Mountain. Zinder: The town of Zinder was the capital of Niger until 1927. The old part of the town is a compact maze of alleyways, typical of a Hausa town. Near the centre is the Sultan’s Palace and the mosque, which offers a good view from the minaret. The part of the town known as Zengou was formerly a caravan encampment. There is an excellent market here on Thursdays, selling beautiful leatherwork. Elsewhere: On the route from Niamey to Zinder is the town of Dosso, founded in the 13th century by the Zarmas after the fall of Gao. It has an exceptional palace, a lively village square and celebrates many festivals with parades and official ceremonies. Niger’s economic centre is Maradi where the people are engaged in various activities from agriculture to diverse crafts. The Sultanate and the Mosque there are well worth viewing. The Ayorou region on the Mali frontier is an old trading station where a market is held every Sunday. In the region around Tillabéri, giraffes are often encountered. Two-day tours are available from the capital. Sport & Activities Visitors can take canoes or motorboats along the Niger River to the Mali border of the ‘W’ Game Park. There are several swimming pools in Niamey and Agadez, but it is not advisable to swim in the lakes or rivers. There are two riding centres in the capital. Fishing is possible throughout the year, the main season being from April to September. Big-game hunting has been outlawed. Social Profile Food & Drink: Although Niger has concentrated on improving its agriculture, shortages of locally produced foodstuffs are common, owing to drought. Traditional dishes tend to be less varied than in countries further south and are usually based around millet, rice or niebé, a type of bean that has become an important crop. Beef and mutton are common in the Hausa country and the nomadic regions of the north. In both areas, brochettes are sold in the streets. Foura, which consists of small balls of ground and slightly fermented millet crushed with milk, sugar and spices, is a speciality. European, Asian and African dishes are also served, particularly in Niamey, using local fish, meat and vegetables. Niger’s most popular drink is tea, which is available everywhere from street stalls. There is also a good selection of imported beverages. Alcohol is available, but there are restrictions because of Muslim beliefs and traditions. Nightlife: In Niamey, there are several nightclubs with music and dancing. There are also three open-air cinemas in the capital. Shopping: Markets in the main towns, notably Niamey and Agadez, sell a range of local artefacts. The Centre des Métiers d’Art de Niger, close to the National Museum, is worth visiting, as a wide range of local goods can be bought there. Courteous bargaining is expected and items include multi-coloured blankets, leather goods, engraved calabashes, silver jewellery, swords and knives. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1600-1900, Sat 0800-1200. Special Events: The following festivals are celebrated annually. The Peulh people celebrate the end of the rainy season with a lively festival. Also of interest is the Cure Salée, when the nomads gather their cattle to lead them to the new pastures; a highlight of this is the gerewol festival of the nomadic Wodaabé tribe. The yearly wrestling championships are held in the traditional style and the Agricultural Fair draws crowds, and includes an art exhibition. The National Festival Day occurs in mid-April. Social Conventions: Handshaking is customary. Casual wear is widely suitable. Women should avoid wearing revealing clothes. Traditional beliefs and Muslim customs should be respected. Photography: Permits are required for photography and filming, and can be obtained from police stations. Tour operators and tourist bureaux are often able to make arrangements. Film is expensive and local facilities for processing film are not always good. Ask local people for permission before taking their photographs. Military installations, airports and administrative buildings (including the Presidential Palace) should not be photographed. Tipping: Expected for most services, usually ten per cent. Most hotels add a ten to 15 per cent service charge. Business Profile Economy: Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a per capita annual income of around US$200. Ninety per cent of the country’s inhabitants are employed on the land, although less than five per cent of the actual land area is cultivated. This already difficult situation is exacerbated by the ever-expanding Saharan desert, drought and problems with pest control. Less than one tenth of the crops grown are cash crops (cotton and groundnuts), while the rest (sorghum, millet and rice) are grown for domestic consumption. Livestock rearing is very important, especially among the country’s nomadic population. In a good year, Niger is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs; otherwise, the country needs food aid. Niger’s most valuable commodity is its uranium deposits – the country is one of the world’s largest producers. France and Japan buy the bulk of the uranium output but falling demand has reduced Niger’s receipts from this mineral. Gypsum, coal and tin ore are also extracted in commercial quantities and there are proven deposits of other minerals, including copper, manganese, lithium, lead and tungsten, which have yet to be developed. Oil deposits are also thought to exist. Niger has a little light industry, which produces food and drinks, textiles and cement. In 1997, the Government embarked on a programme of privatisation of the major public utilities, at the behest of the IMF and World Bank. Since then, relations with these institutions have been strained – disputes over repayment schedules and economic reform were exacerbated by the 1999 coup. In 2000, the World Bank agreed a small support package in exchange for further economic reforms. The following year, Niger was a beneficiary of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief programme. Membership of the CFA Franc Zone affords some monetary stability. France is the country’s most important trading partner, followed by Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Japan and Germany. Niger is a member of the West African trading bloc, ECOWAS, as well as various other regional bodies concerned with economic co-operation. Business: A lightweight suit and tie are generally acceptable. A knowledge of French is essential, as interpreters are not readily available and executives seldom speak English. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1230 and 1500-1800, Sat 0730-1230 (winter); Mon-Fri 0730-1230 and 1530-1830, Sat 0730-1230 (summer). Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce, d’Agriculture, d’Industrie et d’Artisanat du Niger, BP 209, place de la Concertation, Niamey (tel: 732 210 or 736 772; fax: 734 668; e-mail: cham209n@intnet.ne). Climate Summers are extremely hot. The dry season is from October to May. Heavy rains with high temperatures are common in July and August. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are required most of the year. Warmer clothes during the cool evenings, especially in the north, are essential. Rainwear is advisable. History and Government History: Evidence of human settlement in the region now known as Niger goes back 6000 years, when what was then a highly fertile area supported a well-developed civilisation. In the thousand years up to the 19th century, power in the region was based on control of the great trans-Saharan trade routes. The Hausa Kingdom dominated the central area from the 13th century. This power decreased from the 18th century onwards, as European traders used sea routes to make contact with West Africa. Colonised by the French in the 19th century, Niger was part of French West Africa until 1958. It achieved independence in 1960. Hamani Diori was elected head of state and re-elected in 1965 and 1970. His government seemed stable, until severe drought from 1968 onwards brought about widespread civil unrest. In April 1974, the army, which is prone to intervening in Niger’s politics, staged a military coup under Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) Seyni Kountché. A series of failed coups followed when Kountché attempted to civilianise the government. By 1983, however, the legislative Council of Ministers was entirely composed of civilians, under Prime Minister Oumarou Maname. Kountché died in 1987, to be replaced by his staunch ally, Ali Seibou, who consolidated his position during the late 1980s. Seibou began his tenure by trying to diversify Niger’s economy away from its excessive dependence on uranium. On a political level, he was responsible for the creation of a new ruling party, the Mouvement Nationale pour une Société de Développement (MNSD), which became the sole legitimate political party. During the early 1990s, Niger’s economy went into serious recession and the government was forced to seek assistance from the IMF, in the form of a Structural Adjustment Programme. A subsequent programme, which began in 2000, is due to end in November 2003. Both were reasonably successful in improving some economic indicators but at the expense of widespread hardship, which in turn led to regular strikes and demonstrations. Also in the early 1990s, the government came under internal and external pressure to introduce democratic government. After some initial uncertainty and opposition from Seibou, the government chose to follow the regional trend and installed an interim administration, prior to multi-party elections and the introduction of a new constitution. The National Assembly poll, held on 14 February 1993, saw a victory for the six-party coalition, the Alliance des Forces de Changement (AFC), which accumulated 50 of the 83 seats over the MNSD – now operating under the title MNSD-Nassara. The MNSD was similarly thwarted in the presidential election, held in two rounds during February and March 1993, which was won by Mahamane Ousmane, the candidate of the CDS-Rahama party – a leading member of the AFC coalition. Apart from the economy, the new government’s main problem was the Tuareg rebellion. Since 1990, there had been a series of clashes between security forces and guerrillas belonging to the nomadic Tuareg people. The Tuareg had originally left Niger to escape the chronic Sahel drought of the 1980s. A series of agreements were brokered, providing for Tuareg land rights and relations between the Tuareg and central government. However, splits among the Tuareg and repeated clashes between the two sides destabilised relations between them. The two sides have since reached a working accommodation. Several changes of government preceded the legislative elections in January 1995, after which the MNSD-Nassara formed a government under ex-World Bank official Amadou Aboubacar Cissé. The friction between the MNSD government and President Ousmane steadily worsened over the next 12 months and, in January 1996, the military stepped in once again. Army chief of staff Colonel Ibrahim Bare Mainassara took control of the country. Under strong external pressure, particularly from Niger’s main Western financial backers, the military moved quickly to restore a veneer of civilian government. Mainassara established a new political party, the Union Nationale des Indépendants pour le Renouveau Démocratique (UNIRD), as the regime’s political vehicle. Standing as its candidate, Mainassara won the presidential poll held in July 1996. The UNIRD also gained a substantial victory at the national assembly elections that followed a few months later. In April 1999, Mainassara was killed by his own head of security, after an escalating series of disputes with his erstwhile military colleagues. The resultant uncertain political situation in the country was resolved with the holding of simultaneous presidential and legislative elections in November that year. With Mainassara gone, his political vehicle, the UNIRD, folded. The MNSD, the country’s historic ruling party, recovered control of both the presidency – in the person of Mamadou Tandja – and the national assembly, where it holds just short of an overall majority but forms the government with Hana Amadou as premier. Government: The 83-member Assemblée Nationale is directly elected for a five-year term and holds legislative power: 75 members are elected in multi-seat constituencies; the other eight are elected from single-seat constituencies specifically assigned to national minorities. Executive power is held by the president who is also directly elected for a five-year term. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.