Stories about Niger
In Niger and Worldwide, a Legendary Surgeon and Humanitarian Is Mourned
Jean-Marie Servant, a specialist in reconstructive plastic surgery, a celebrated humanitarian, and a “giant among men,” has died. On social media, his friends are remembering his compassion and genius.
Social Media's impact on the 2016 general election in Niger
Le premier tour des élections générales nigériennes de 2016 s'est déroulé le dimanche 21 février 2016. Le second tour aura lieu le 20 mars, afin d'élire le président et les membres de l'Assemblée Nationale.
Mapping for Niger, as Told by One of the Project's Volunteers
The project faces limited logistical, financial, and human resources as well as a general ignorance of Open Data, making each activity realized a feat of volunteer passion and activism.
Female Entrepreneurs Give a Major Boost to the Development of Francophone Africa
Increasingly, civil society—and especially women—are keen to partake in the boom by starting businesses and joining Africa's new entrepreneurial mobilisation.
How Boko Haram Is Changing International Politics in Western and Central Africa
Boko Haram has revved up its attacks against many African nations in the past several weeks. Here is a recap of the conflict in the region so far this year.
After Citizen Uprising in Burkina Faso and Burundi, Are Niger and Togo Next?
20,000 Nigeriens took to the streets in Niamey, Niger on June, 6. There are multiple causes for the protests: endemic poverty, mediocre governance and restricted free speech are among the main grievances from Nigerien civil society. These protests come on the hill of similar uprisings in Burkina Faso, Burundi...
Looking Beyond Boko Haram: Rediscovering the Ténéré Desert in Niger
Niger is at war with Boko Haram. Let's not forget, though, that Niger is also home to many projects and is a land full of natural beauty and poetry.
Niger Youth Defiant Following Boko Haram Attack in Bosso and Bombing in Diffa
For the first time, Boko Haram conducted an assault on Niger's territory and the youth of Niger will not stand for it. Boko Haram assaulted Bosso and Diffa, two towns in southeast Niger at the border with Nigeria but was repelled by Niger and Chad's army. Boko Haram lost an...
Another Celebrity Wants to Help Africa, And He's No ‘Band Aid’
When it comes to helping Africa, there is Bob Geldof's approach with "Band Aid," and then there is Akon's.
AQIM Losing Ground to Dāʻish in the Sahel Region
While the Islamist group Boko Haram threatens to extend its caliphate in the north -east part of Nigeria, major developments are taking place in the Sahel with respect to the security of the region. Kaci Racelma, a Nigerien blogger wrote in his blog A Niamey ( In Niamey) about the relationship...
12 Deaths and 27,000 Displaced Nigeriens Because of Floods
Heavy rains and flooding in Niger have killed 12 people and left thousands without homes. Rivers in Niamey and the extended regions have risen and destroyed thousands of houses. In the region, land degradation and cultivation of marginal land increase the risk that extreme events can develop into natural disasters. Some solutions...
The Story of Famine Refugees from Niger in Eastern Algeria
In the past few weeks, hundreds of Sub-Saharan immigrants from Mali or Niger have migrated to Algerian cities by the Eastern border. Liberté Algérie narrates the stories of those who made the choice to immigrate and why [fr] : Les conditions de vie au hangar de la cité Bourroh sont inhumaines....
A 80 Year-long Wait: Niger Gets its First Train Station
On April 7, Niger inaugurated in the capital Niamey its first train station ever [fr]. The authorities already projected the construction of the train station 80 years ago but the project never took off. The event will kick start the construction of railroads between Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire....
3 Initiatives Working to Make Niger a Better Place
Positive stories from Niger are a few and far between these days, thanks to economic hardship combined with threats of terrorism. Three projects are trying to change that.
Nelson Mandela's Death: ‘Left Us in Body, But His Spirit Is Eternal’
"Mandela was about politics and he was about race and he was about freedom and he was even about force, and he did what he felt he had to do"
Football, Building Social Cohesion in Niger
Sports - and especially football - can be an ideal vehicle to reinforce social cohesion in Nigerien communities scattered across the country's wide territory.
More Transparency Needed in Uranium Negotiation in Niger
Anne-Sophie Simpere reports that the Uranium exploitation contract between Niger and Areva, a french energy company, are set to be re-negotiated as it comes to an end as of December 2013. She writes [fr]: Il est incompréhensible que le Niger, 4ème producteur d’uranium au monde, et fournisseur stratégique d’Areva et...
Massive Railway Project between Niamey and Cotonou Underway
A 1,500 km-long railway project between Niamey, the capital city of Niger and Cotonou, the capital city of Benin has been green lighted by the authorities of the two countries and construction will begin on March 2014 [fr]. Francois Ndiaye in Niamey unpacks the set up of the financial agreement [fr] that includes...
‘How Can We Stay Indifferent?': A Concern for Niger's Orphans
“To be an orphan in Niger is..a situation very close to my heart” writes one of the newest bloggers from the Rising Voices grantee project Mapping for Niger.
87 Migrants Die of Thirst in Northern Niger
On 0ctober 30, 87 people trying to reach the Mediterranean sea died after being abandoned in the Sahara Desert when their drivers left them stranded to seek for help. The harrowing story of one the survivors, 14-year-old Shafa, highlights the plight of many migrants trying to reach Europe and the obstacles they face. In...
On Blog Action Day, Thousands of Blogs on Human Rights
Bloggers around the world, including Global Voices contributors, are highlighting this year's #BAD13 topic: human rights.