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Imminent danger of famine in the Sahel

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:10:10 GMT

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Lower levels of precipitation in the Sahel region since 1970

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization reports that an estimated number of sixteen million people may soon suffer from food shortages in the Sahel region. UNICEF prepares for a worst case scenario of providing food for 1.5 million children with acute malnutrition.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs announced that by Tuesday the United Nations had so far only received about a quarter of the US$1 billion required for the imminent food crisis; the United Nations had appealed to the international community for donations.

The situation is further complicated by Tuareg separatists in Mali, which are a security risk to the charities and have displaced residents to other states of the Sahel, as well as by workers in Niger, who have returned from Libya or Nigeria, but found no occupation in Niger. The government of Niger has initiated a program for this group consisting of relief food aid and labor schemes.

"We witnessed last year the situation spiraling out of control in East Africa as the aid community failed to act swiftly," explained Mamadou Biteye, the regional director of Oxfam for West Africa: "The worst can be avoided and thousands of lives will be saved if we act now. It's that simple."

The last food crises were the 2011 East Africa drought in the Horn of Africa and the 2010 Sahel famine.

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Sources [edit]

Abdoulaye Massalaatchi. "Lethal 'cocktail' threatens Africa's Sahel" — Reuters, March 16, 2012
"Disaster is stalking children in the Sahel" — UNICEF, March 16, 2012
George Fominyen, Reuters AlertNet. "FACTBOX-Response to Sahel food crisis" — Trust.org, March 15, 2012

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Algerian driver released by hostage takers in Niger

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:01:07 GMT

Friday, April 30, 2010

Niger

Other stories from Niger

18 March 2012: Imminent danger of famine in the Sahel
30 April 2010: Algerian driver released by hostage takers in Niger
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
19 February 2010: Niger coup ousts president
7 November 2009: Wikinews Shorts: November 7, 2009

...More articles here

Location of Niger

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Niger, see the Niger Portal

An Algerian driver has been released by his hostage takers in Niger. The man was abducted on April 20 along with a French tourist he was driving.

The Frenchman, who is in his 70’s, is still being held hostage; the pair were taken at gunpoint near the Mali and Algerian boarders. The gunmen are reported to have links to al-Qaeda.

It is reported that the driver was released in the last few days and has already returned to Algeria. Apparently, he was released in the Mali desert and made his own way back to Algeria. "Some people riding camels found him wandering. After some explanations, they took him to Algeria," said a Nigerien military source to the Reuters news service.

The pair were abducted only days after four countries near the Sahara opened a military base to combat al-Qaeda. The vicinity in which the kidnapping took place is known as the "red zone"; foreign offices recommend that tourists avoid the area near the Sahara.

Hostage takings have become more frequent with governments having more trouble controlling the problem. Recently the Mali government sparked a row with Mauritania over the release of four militants.

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Sources [edit]

"Kidnapped Algerian driver in Niger is released" — BBC News Online, April 29, 2010
"Algerian freed, Frenchman held" — News 24, April 29, 2010

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Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:02:17 GMT

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Health

Sources [edit]

"Africa united in fight against polio outbreak" — The Botswana Gazette, 5 March 2010
"85 Million Children To Be Immunized Against Polio In West And Central Africa" — Voice of America, 5 March 2010

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Niger coup ousts president

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:48:57 GMT

Friday, February 19, 2010

Niger

Other stories from Niger

18 March 2012: Imminent danger of famine in the Sahel
30 April 2010: Algerian driver released by hostage takers in Niger
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
19 February 2010: Niger coup ousts president
7 November 2009: Wikinews Shorts: November 7, 2009

...More articles here

Location of Niger

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Niger, see the Niger Portal

The president of Niger, Tandja Mamadou, has been captured and imprisoned by a group of Nigerien soldiers under the name of "Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy" after an attack on the presidential palace late Thursday.

File photo of Tandja Mamadou from 2007.

The Nigerien embassy in London has issued a statement saying that both the president and ministers in his company were "safe and well," although officials said that the company was most likely imprisoned in military barracks outside of Niamy.

According to an announcement by the representative of the group responsible for the coup, a Nigerien Army colonel, the country's constitution has been suspended and all government institutions have been dissolved. It is not clear who the leader of the coup is, although several military sources said that Major Adamou Harouna of the Nigerien Army was responsible.

The coup apparently took place during a cabinet meeting in the capitol building, and was preceded by a several-hour long gun battle in the capital, Niamy. The battle began at about 13:00 local time (12:00 UTC), ending about four hours later, with both foot soldiers and tanks involved, although no significant deployment of the military was reported. The morning after the battle, the streets were relatively quiet, and the only significant military presence is heavy artillery around the presidential palace.

The battle led to at least ten deaths, four of which were soldiers. The identities of those killed have not been released. Additionally, a curfew has been imposed, and the military has closed Niger's borders. Despite the crisis, the government has yet to release an official statement as to its status.

The actions of the military prompted condemnations of the coup from both the African Union and the nation of France, both of which called for negotiations to resolve the situation. The West African group of countries Ecowas has already dispatched a delegation to talk to the group responsible for the coup.

The coup came after an extended political crisis in which President Tandja has dissolved both the National Assembly and Niger's High Court, as well as extending his presidential term by three years, and removing all further limits on his term. These actions have led to increasing pressure against him and the government, culminating with a thousands-strong demonstration against the government last week.

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Sources [edit]

Wikipedia has more about this subject:

2010 Niger coup d'état

"Embassy: Ongoing coup attempt taking place in Niger" — CNN, February 18, 2010
"Military coup ousts Niger president" — BBC, February 18, 2010
"Soldiers Storm Presidential Palace in Niger" — The New York Times, February 18, 2010
"Niger president held by troops-military sources" — Reuters, 18 February 2010
"Niger's military coup is condemned by France and Africa" — BBC, 19 February 2010

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Wikinews Shorts: November 7, 2009

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:48:41 GMT

A compilation of brief news reports for Saturday, November 7, 2009 .

1 Disaster declared after flooding in Australia
2 Nigerian officials block Niger imports
3 UNHCR seeks US$2.8 million to help Kenyan flood victims

Contribute to Wikinews by expanding these briefs or add a new one.

Disaster declared after flooding in Australia [edit]

Location of the state of New South Wales within Australia

Officials in in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) have declared a natural disaster on the country's eastern coast, after torrential rains flooded the area, cutting off major roads and stranding people.

Approximately 40 people were evacuated from the area due to the floods, and NSW emergency services minister Steve Whan declared a natural disaster. Over half a metre (20 inches) of rain fell in the area over two days, according to Whan. He added that this is the fifth significant flooding to affect the area this year.

"Conditions are now easing, following heavy rains [...] that resulted in minor to moderate main-river flooding and localised flash flooding," Whan said in a statement.

Sources

Agence France-Presse. "Disaster declared in flood-hit Australia" — Yahoo! News, November 7, 2009
"Natural Disaster Declared in Flooded Mid-North Coast" — Epoch Times, November 7, 2009

Nigerian officials block Niger imports [edit]

Map of Niger. Nigeria borders it to the south.

According to Niger transport unions, customs officials from neighbouring Nigeria have blocked trucks from crossing the border into the country, thereby blocking all imports, such as building materials and food supplies.

The blockade impeded vehicles travelling north into Niger, but not those travelling southwards, reports said. The interruption began on Tuesday.

The Nigerian government, however, denied that it ordered the borders to be closed, and did not immediately provide a statement or comment on it.

Sources

"Niger-Nigeria 'blockade' mystery" — BBC News, November 6, 2009
"Nigerian customs block Niger road imports:unions" — Reuters South Africa, November 6, 2009

UNHCR seeks US$2.8 million to help Kenyan flood victims [edit]

A plane delivering UNHCR supplies to the Dadaab region after heavy flooding in 2006

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Saturday that it was appealing for US$2.8 million in aid to help 300,000 refugees in Kenya that were affected by heavy flooding.

It says that the money will be spent to provide essential supplies, help control possible outbreaks of disease, and to make engineering enhancements in refugee camps, mainly those in Kakuma, a town in the northwestern part of the country, and Dadaab, in eastern Kenya.

"We are also preparing to locate to higher ground within the camps refugees who might be worst affected by the floods, particularly the chronically ill, disabled people, the elderly and children and teenagers on their own," added a spokesman for the agency, Andrej Mahecic.

Sources

"UNHCR seeks $2.8 mln to help flood-threatened Kenyan refugees" — Xinhua, November 7, 2009
"Floods could threaten up to 750,000 in Kenya: UN" — Reuters, November 7, 2009

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Niger’s ruling party wins majority in parliament after elections

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:25:24 GMT

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Niger

Other stories from Niger

18 March 2012: Imminent danger of famine in the Sahel
30 April 2010: Algerian driver released by hostage takers in Niger
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
19 February 2010: Niger coup ousts president
7 November 2009: Wikinews Shorts: November 7, 2009

...More articles here

Location of Niger

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Niger, see the Niger Portal

Niger's president Mamadou Tanja

According to Niger’s election commission, President Mamadou Tandja’s party won a large majority in the parliament after recent elections held on Tuesday.

76 of 113 total seats were taken by Tandja’s party, and a further 21 seats were taken by smaller parties supportive of the president. Twelve independents also received seats in the parliament. Opposition parties boycotted the ballot after Tandja altered the constitution to allow him to extend his time in office past the limit of ten years, and seek a third term.

Reports of turnout varied widely, indicating that between 18% and 80% of people voted. Turnout in rural areas was reported to have been higher, while fewer voters cast their ballots in Niger’s capital Niamey.

The elections, however, have been condemned by some in the international community. The polls were organised despite pressure for them to be postponed. Several days ago, the ECOWAS trade bloc suspended Niger when it refused to heed calls to postpone the ballot, and said it would not recognise the election’s results. The country’s Foreign Minister Aichatou Mindaoudou responded to ECOWAS’ decision, saying that the bloc didn’t understand Niger’s political dynamics. Niger has asked for the bloc to reconsider the suspension.

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Sources [edit]

"Ruling party sweeps Niger election" — Associated Press, October 24, 2009
"'Poll win' for Niger ruling party" — BBC News Online, October 24, 2009

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ECOWAS suspends Niger in dispute over constitution

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:51:08 GMT

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Niger

Other stories from Niger

18 March 2012: Imminent danger of famine in the Sahel
30 April 2010: Algerian driver released by hostage takers in Niger
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
19 February 2010: Niger coup ousts president
7 November 2009: Wikinews Shorts: November 7, 2009

...More articles here

Location of Niger

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Niger, see the Niger Portal

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has suspended Niger for refusing to postpone a legislative election. The regional alliance wanted Niger to delay the vote, which was held on Tuesday, to allow for political dialogue following a controversial referendum that has extended the president's time in office.

"ECOWAS will not recognize the outcome of today's elections in Niger," the alliance said in a statement.

ECOWAS followed through on its threat to suspend Niger after President Mamadou Tandja went ahead with legislative vote. Tandja ignored last-minute appeals by ECOWAS leaders to delay the poll, saying that election preparations were too far advanced.

Niger president Mamadou Tandja

The regional alliance asked him to indefinitely suspend the election in favor of political dialogue to resolve a political crisis sparked by an August referendum that changed the constitution to extend the president's time in office.

"ECOWAS is already in touch with the African Union to put the Niger file also on the agenda of the African Union Peace and Security Council, which would also lead to the United Nations taking a similar decision," said Abdel Fatau Musah, the political director of the ECOWAS alliance. "And we know that our partners, like the European Union, are also considering very severed measures against President Tandja and the authorities in Niger for blatantly casting aside their constitution, which actually forbids their president from going beyond two terms."

Opposition parties have been boycotting this vote for 113 legislators to replace the parliament Tandja dismissed when it said his constitutional referendum was illegal. The president dismissed the country's constitutional court when it reached the same conclusion.

Alat Mogaskiya, one of the founders of Niger's Party for Democracy and Socialism, said that Tandja had the legal authority to dismiss parliament, but ignored the constitutional mandate to have new elections to replace those lawmakers within 90 days. He claimed that the new Tandja government is illegal and illegitimate, because the referendum extending the president's term was unconstitutional.

Ruling party communications secretary Issoufou Tamboura said the opposition boycott will have no impact on the vote, just as its boycott of the referendum had no effect on changing the constitution. Tamboura said the boycott will not stop the new government from continuing its work and electing a new assembly. Parties are free to join or boycott the vote as they choose.

He added that the boycott will not affect the credibility of this vote, because the ruling party is the country's largest and it is taking part. Some other smaller parties are also participating. He said his party believes this election will be credible.

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Sources [edit]

This article includes material from ECOWAS Suspends Niger in Dispute Over Constitution by VOA News, which is in the public domain.

Scott Stearns. "ECOWAS Suspends Niger in Dispute Over Constitution" — October 20, 2009
Associated Press. "Regional group suspends Niger on disputed election" — Yahoo! News, October 20, 2009

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West African cholera claims more than 500 lives, more deaths feared

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 01:27:11 GMT

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Mural in West Africa depicting the effects of cholera.

An outbreak of cholera in West Africa has resulted in the deaths of more than 500 people, and United Nations (UN) health officials are concerned that inadequate health services in the region could result in many more deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that over 31,250 cases of cholera have been reported so far this year in nine West African countries. It has claimed 488 lives at this point. "If we look at this year's trends, the figures are still going up in many countries," said John Mulangu, a senior regional advisor for the WHO. "If cholera is not brought under control in certain regions, we will soon be talking of... 100,000 cases," he said. "And hospitals and health centres will be overwhelmed. Last year we were not on this scale. The problem is getting worse," Mulangu said.

The UN says that the increase could also be related to the fact that due to poverty, many West Africans move around, sometimes out of the country, in order to receive higher wages for their work, and the region has been hit with heavy rains. This helps spread the disease, according to the UN.

"We are about to enter the harvest season where people will be moving around," said Herve Ludovic de Lys, the head of OCHA's West Africa office. "The main goal is to halt the transmission of this disease," he said. "It's not business as usual. This crisis needs a rapid response."

The following West African nations have all been hit by cholera epidemics: Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. The WHO issued a statement on Thursday that more countries were at risk. "Outbreaks are likely to spread to Central Africa - Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad - in the next weeks," it said.

Sources [edit]

"Cholera epidemic 'needs attention'" — Associated Press, September 2, 2005
"WEST AFRICA: Cholera kills nearly 500 people, more deaths feared" — IRIN, September 1, 2005

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English Wikinews RSS feed.

Imminent danger of famine in the Sahel

Sources [edit]

Algerian driver released by hostage takers in Niger

Sources [edit]

Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children

Sources [edit]

Niger coup ousts president

Sources [edit]

Wikinews Shorts: November 7, 2009

Contents

Disaster declared after flooding in Australia [edit]

Nigerian officials block Niger imports [edit]

UNHCR seeks US$2.8 million to help Kenyan flood victims [edit]

Niger’s ruling party wins majority in parliament after elections

Related news [edit]

Sources [edit]

ECOWAS suspends Niger in dispute over constitution

Sources [edit]

West African cholera claims more than 500 lives, more deaths feared

Sources [edit]