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Niger is a West African country named after the Niger River. It became independent from France in 1960 and is the poorest country in the world. Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, livestock, and uranium mining. The country has a high fertility and infant mortality rate, and French is the official language.
The Republic of Niger is a West African country named after the Niger River. It is landlocked and sits on the border between the Sahara and the sub-Saharan region. A former French colony, Niger became independent in 1960. Since 2007, it has been the poorest country in the world and is initiating economic reforms to address this problem. A significant portion of its national budget comes from foreign aid.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, Niger was part of the Songhai Empire centered in Mali. Over the centuries, it often changed hands between changing political powers in Africa. Regular European contact with the region began in the 19th century when European explorers searched for the source of the Niger River.
The Tuaregs, a nomadic Berber group that occupied the area, resisted European control, but were eventually subdued. In 1917, the Tuaregs signed a treaty granting French control of Niger and in 1922 it became a French colony. Beginning with the French constitution of 1946, French legislation gradually granted Niger and other French colonies greater autonomy. It became an autonomous French state in 1958 and an independent nation two years later.
Hamani Diori was elected first president of Niger. He was re-elected unopposed for the next two five-year terms, but a coup d’état led by Colonel Seyni Kountché ended his reign in 1974. Kountouché and his military backers remained in power until his death in 1987, when he was succeeded by Ali Saibu. Saibou instituted widespread government reforms, culminating in a new constitution in 1989.
Despite Saibou’s attempts to minimize corruption in the Nigerian government, the country’s political strife continued. Saibou was overthrown in a 1996 coup by Colonel Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, who was himself killed in a 1999 coup. The new leader, Major Daouda Malam Wanké, was more successful than his predecessors in the ‘establishing reforms and a new constitution was approved by the electorate in 1999.
In the current model of government, an elected president shares executive power with an appointed prime minister, while a unicameral National Assembly forms the legislative branch. The National Assembly contains seven political parties and has recently passed a series of laws aimed at decentralizing the Nigerian government. Mamadou Tandja became the first president under the new constitution and was elected for a second term in 2004.
In addition to being the poorest country in the world, Niger has both the highest fertility rate and the highest infant mortality rate, so nearly half of the population is under 15. It is a member of the United Nations and has friendly relations with many countries around the world, including Western powers and Muslim nations. Enjoys a special relationship with France. Eighty percent of Nigeria’s population is Muslim, while Animism and Christianity are important minority religions. French is the country’s official language, but most people speak one of the country’s many native languages.
Niger’s economy is mainly based on subsistence agriculture, livestock and uranium mining. It also has potentially lucrative gold and oil reserves. In addition to external debt relief, the government has privatized state-owned companies and passed poverty-fighting laws in an effort to improve the economy.
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