Niger gov't reps and Tuareg rebel leaders declared peace in presence of Col Gaddafi

The Tuaregs, a historically nomadic people living in the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa, have had militant groups in Mali and Niger engaged in sporadic armed struggles for several decades.

In neighbouring Mali, hundreds of Tuareg rebels laid down their arms in February, breathing new life into a stalled peace process

The BBC's Idy Baraou in Niger says the country's main rebel group wants a greater share of revenues from the uranium mines in the north of the former French colony.

The movement also wants the expanding mines to be curtailed so they do not encroach on agricultural areas, already under threat from increased desertification.

Source: BBC News April 97, 2009
Niger and rebels 'agree to peace'

The government of Niger and Tuareg rebels of the Movement of Niger People for Justice (MNJ) have agreed to end hostilities, according to reports.

Libyan state news agency Jana said two days of talks in Tripoli ended with both sides committing themselves to "total and comprehensive peace".

There has been no confirmation from the Niger government but a rebel website said everyone supported reconciliation.

The rebels are seeking a greater share of the region's uranium resources.

In the past Niger said it would never negotiate with the rebels, whom it labelled as bandits, but last month the Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi visited Niger to help broker a deal.

Rebels also released some government troops.

Government representatives and rebel leaders declared peace in the presence of Col Gaddafi, the current chairman of the African Union, Jana reported.

"Two days of talks ... were crowned by an announcement in front of the brother leader of the revolution and African Union chairman that they commit themselves to keep up total and comprehensive peace in Niger," the report said.

One of the three Tuareg rebel groups, the Niger Patriotic Front (FPN), said in a statement on its website that "all the delegations spoke in favour of peace and national reconciliation".

"All those taking part in this mission now have the historic responsibility to overcome their differences and realise these commitments, which must now be transformed into a formal peace agreement," the statement said.

Both sides had opened the discussions by telling Col Gaddafi they were committed to peace in the West African state, Jana reported.

"Everyone present spoke of their serious commitment and will to reach a peace deal," Niger's Interior Minister Albedi Abouba was quoted as saying.

Aghali Alambo, leader of the MNJ, spoke of the "commitment of his group and other groups for a definitive peace in Niger," Jana reported.

Uranium revenues

The BBC's Idy Baraou in Niger says the country's main rebel group wants a greater share of revenues from the uranium mines in the north of the former French colony.

The movement also wants the expanding mines to be curtailed so they do not encroach on agricultural areas, already under threat from increased desertification.

The Tuaregs, a historically nomadic people living in the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa, have had militant groups in Mali and Niger engaged in sporadic armed struggles for several decades.

In neighbouring Mali, hundreds of Tuareg rebels laid down their arms in February, breathing new life into a stalled peace process.