“Fraternité, Travail, Progrès.” Niger’s national motto is
fitting – it’s in French and remains a reminder of Niger’s colonial history,
but it also highlights the qualities that have endured through the country’s
trials. Niger is an economically underdeveloped nation that consistently ranks
on the lowest end of the United Nation’s Human Development Index. However, its
people have displayed a willingness to persevere and work hard for the progress
they deserve.
Niger is a landlocked nation in Western Africa named after the Niger
River. It’s the largest country in West Africa and eighty percent of its total
land area is covered by the Sahara Desert. It’s bordered by Chad in the east,
Nigeria and Benin in the south, Libya in the northeast, Burkina Faso and Mali
in the west, and Algeria in the northwest. Its capital city, Niamey, is a
central economic and social location for the region. Niger is one of the
lowest-ranked nations on the United Nations’ Human Development Index, ranking
187th in 2013.[1]
land area is covered by the Sahara Desert. It’s bordered by Chad in the east,
Nigeria and Benin in the south, Libya in the northeast, Burkina Faso and Mali
in the west, and Algeria in the northwest. Its capital city, Niamey, is a
central economic and social location for the region. Niger is one of the
lowest-ranked nations on the United Nations’ Human Development Index, ranking
187th in 2013.[1]
("Africa Map" Niger, World Atlas, accessed March 6, 2016, http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/ne.htm.)
("Niger," InfoPlease, accessed March 6, 2016, http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/country/niger.html.)
Niger is a geographically diverse nation, with the majority of it made up of Sahara and Sub-Saharan regions and a subtropical climate.[2] Niger is a part of the biogeographic zone known as the Sahel. The region includes Niger, Chad, Sudan, Nigeria, Mali, and parts of Burkina Faso and
Algeria. The land is primarily desert, but includes some rolling savanna and hills. The Sahel region is a transitioning zone, between arid and desert regions.[3] Niger’s economy is based primarily on subsistence farming and other forms of agriculture. The extraction and exportation of raw materials is central to the political and social life of the nation.[4] The county possesses some of the world’s largest uranium deposits, and based on global demand for the commodity, this has served as a source of economic diversity.[5]
Algeria. The land is primarily desert, but includes some rolling savanna and hills. The Sahel region is a transitioning zone, between arid and desert regions.[3] Niger’s economy is based primarily on subsistence farming and other forms of agriculture. The extraction and exportation of raw materials is central to the political and social life of the nation.[4] The county possesses some of the world’s largest uranium deposits, and based on global demand for the commodity, this has served as a source of economic diversity.[5]
However, structural barriers like corrupt or unstable governments, constant
cycles of drought, and a poor education system have created impediments to
development in the region.[6]
cycles of drought, and a poor education system have created impediments to
development in the region.[6]
A worker mining uranium in Niger.
(AP, "Islamists attack uranium mine, kill dozens," B29, accessed March 6, 2016, http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world.php?yyyy=2013&mm=05&dd=23&nav_id=86320.)
Niger has a constitutional semi-presidential system of
government. It’s latest form of government was codified in 2010, when the new
constitution was approved.[7] The President is elected by universal suffrage for give year terms and a prime minister is named by the president. Niger has a unicameral National Assembly filled with officials elected for five-year terms, and the population also votes by popular election for local and municipal governments.
government. It’s latest form of government was codified in 2010, when the new
constitution was approved.[7] The President is elected by universal suffrage for give year terms and a prime minister is named by the president. Niger has a unicameral National Assembly filled with officials elected for five-year terms, and the population also votes by popular election for local and municipal governments.
While Niger is still an underdeveloped nation politically, it has achieved remarkable progress
throughout its history. As early as 600 A.D., the region that is now known as Niger was home to one of the largest Islamic empires in history, the Songhai Empire. This empire was built upon the unique and valuable trading center that the Niger River was becoming. Present-day Niger was a prominent area of trade for the trans-Saharan region, and it became a functional bridge between other
areas of power. In the mid-fourteenth century, the Hausa Kingdom came to power, beginning as seven distinct houses ruling over different regions, and consolidating as one power.[8] The origin legend Bayajidda has it that the seven states were founded by Bawo and his six sons. The Mali and the Kanem-Bornu Empires also ruled over the larger region in the course of pre-colonial history.[9]
throughout its history. As early as 600 A.D., the region that is now known as Niger was home to one of the largest Islamic empires in history, the Songhai Empire. This empire was built upon the unique and valuable trading center that the Niger River was becoming. Present-day Niger was a prominent area of trade for the trans-Saharan region, and it became a functional bridge between other
areas of power. In the mid-fourteenth century, the Hausa Kingdom came to power, beginning as seven distinct houses ruling over different regions, and consolidating as one power.[8] The origin legend Bayajidda has it that the seven states were founded by Bawo and his six sons. The Mali and the Kanem-Bornu Empires also ruled over the larger region in the course of pre-colonial history.[9]
Niger’s first contact with European powers occurred in the 19th century.[10] European explorers followed the Niger River and came in contact with the different regions and people groups that reside along the river. Nearby regions like present-day Nigeria had been colonized by the British prior to Niger’s colonization, but people groups in Niger resisted European rule. In the early 1900s, Niger was colonized by France as part of the British and French’s competition for global influence and control over natural resources. Niger was one of the last African regions to be colonized, but French control was stronger than in other regions due to the natural resources Niger possessed. Particularly during the First and Second World Wars, the uranium Niger possessed made it a prime target for increased European influence and control.[11]
Niger gained independence from France in August of 1960.[12] The colonial rule left a power vacuum in the region that would cause instability for decades to come, including “brutal military rule for the next 30 years until 1991.”[13] The independence of Niger was partially the product of one of the most significant waves of political change that occurred in African history. In the late 1950’s, French West Africa was experiencing an increase in independence movements; as well as momentum from regions instituting local governments and advocating for self-determination. In May of 1946, Nigeriens that desired independence formed the Nigerien Progressive Party to unite nations under the cause of independence.[14] In December 1958, Niger became an autonomous state, although it still existed under French rule. Finally, on August 3, 1960, Niger became an independent nation.[15] For fourteen years, Niger was ruled by a single-party civilian regime under president Hamani Diori.[16] In April 1974, Col. Seyni Kountché led a military coup and deposed the president. Until his death, Niger continued to be ruled under strict military control by Kountché. Upon his death, his successor and former Chief of Staff Col. Ali Saibou instituted political reforms and a new constitution. By the end of 1990, his insufficient reforms were met with continued opposition and he eventually acquiesced to demands for a multi-party democratic system. Following two more decades of government corruption and multiple military regimes, in 2010 Mahamadou Issoufou was elected the president of the Seventh Republic.
Niger gained independence from France in August of 1960.[12] The colonial rule left a power vacuum in the region that would cause instability for decades to come, including “brutal military rule for the next 30 years until 1991.”[13] The independence of Niger was partially the product of one of the most significant waves of political change that occurred in African history. In the late 1950’s, French West Africa was experiencing an increase in independence movements; as well as momentum from regions instituting local governments and advocating for self-determination. In May of 1946, Nigeriens that desired independence formed the Nigerien Progressive Party to unite nations under the cause of independence.[14] In December 1958, Niger became an autonomous state, although it still existed under French rule. Finally, on August 3, 1960, Niger became an independent nation.[15] For fourteen years, Niger was ruled by a single-party civilian regime under president Hamani Diori.[16] In April 1974, Col. Seyni Kountché led a military coup and deposed the president. Until his death, Niger continued to be ruled under strict military control by Kountché. Upon his death, his successor and former Chief of Staff Col. Ali Saibou instituted political reforms and a new constitution. By the end of 1990, his insufficient reforms were met with continued opposition and he eventually acquiesced to demands for a multi-party democratic system. Following two more decades of government corruption and multiple military regimes, in 2010 Mahamadou Issoufou was elected the president of the Seventh Republic.
(Getty Images, "This Day in Black History," BET, accessed March 6, 2016, http://www.bet.com/news/global/2012/08/03/this-day-in-black-history-aug-3-1960.html.)
Niger has experienced more than just political transformation over its rocky history. The region has also been the site of religious change. Today, Niger is a predominantly Muslim nation, with approximately 94% of the population claiming the Islamic faith.[17] Different tribal religion were largely overwhelmed by Muslim influence starting as early as the 15th century. As the Songhai Empire and trans-Saharan trade from Egypt expanded, the Niger River became an important trading post. As its importance for trade increased, it became a center for Sufi religious instruction and legal interpretation, and this greatly influenced the region.[18]
Today, Christian missionary organizations continue to impact the region. When the French colonized Niger, this allowed for some religious and cultural influence and many nationals became Christians. Today, less than 1% of the population is Christian.[19] However, Christian missionary organizations are continuing to have a substantial impact on the region. Mission organizations like SIM, Christian Aid, Assemblies of God, Fellowship of Independent Missions, YWAM, and World Vision are currently planting churches and providing medical resources and food.[20]
Niger is a nation that has suffered through corrupt regimes, colonial rule, and military
control. Niger has faced significant economic barriers, a poor education
system, and geographically-imposed difficulties like droughts and desertification.
However, Nigeriens have proved to be resilient, continuing to learn from their
past and use it to reshape their future.
control. Niger has faced significant economic barriers, a poor education
system, and geographically-imposed difficulties like droughts and desertification.
However, Nigeriens have proved to be resilient, continuing to learn from their
past and use it to reshape their future.
My family at a wildlife park in Niger in 2008.
Historiography in Niger
This is a silver and braided leather amulet worn by the Tuareg people in Niger. It is an excellent example of the kind of non-written forms of history that the following video will discuss.The Minneapolis Institute of the Arts includes this piece in its study “Art & Life in Africa,” which uses art to study the different ways of living in different regions in Africa.
[1] “Human Development Report 2014,” United Nations Development Programme, last modified 2014, accessed January 21, 2016, http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr14-summary-en.pdf.
[2] Pilar Quezzaire-Belle, Encyclopedia of World Geography, Vol. 1, “Niger,” (New York City: Infobase Publishing, 2014): 664.
[3] Ibid.
[4] “Niger,” African Economic Outlook, last modified May 28, 2015, accessed January 21, 2016, http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/country-notes/west-africa/niger/.
[5] “The Mineral Industry of Other Countries of Africa,” United States Geological Survey, last modified 1994, accessed February 10, 2016, http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/1994/9247094.pdf.
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Niger’s Constitution of 2010,” Constitution Program, last modified September 26, 2013, accessed January 21, 2016, http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/ner128397.pdf.
[8] “Kingdoms of Africa,” African Kingdoms, last modified 2005, accessed March 2, 2016, http://www.africankingdoms.com/.
[9] Ibid.
[10] “Niger – History and Culture,” iExplore, accessed February 15, 2016, http://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/africa/niger/history-and-culture, 4.
[11] Ibid.
[12] “Niger – History and Culture,” 5.
[13] “Niger – History and Culture,” 6.
[14] “History of Niger,” History World, accessed March 2, 2016, http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad04.
[15] Ibid.
[16] James Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Niger (London: Scarecrow Press, 1979): 182.
[17] Encyclopedia of World Geography, 664.
[18] Historical Dictionary of Niger, 301.
[19] “Niger,” SIM, last modified 2016, accessed February 24, 2016, http://www.sim.org/index.php/country/NE.
[20] Ibid.
Bibliography
Decalo, James. Historical Dictionary of Niger. London: Scarecrow Press, 1979.
“History of Niger.” History World. Accessed March 2, 2016. http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad04.
“Human Development Report 2014.” United Nations Development Programme. Last modified 2014. Accessed January 21, 2016. http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr14-summary-en.pdf.
“Kingdoms of Africa.” African Kingdoms. Last modified 2005. Accessed March 2, 2016, http://www.africankingdoms.com/.
“Niger.” African Economic Outlook. Last modified May 28, 2015. Accessed January 21, 2016. http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/country-notes/west-africa/niger/.
“Niger.” SIM. Last modified 2016. Accessed February 24, 2016. http://www.sim.org/index.php/country/NE.
“Niger – History and Culture.” iExplore. Accessed February 15, 2016. http://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/africa/niger/history-and-culture.
“Niger’s Constitution of 2010.” Constitution Program. Last modified September 26, 2013. Accessed January 21, 2016. http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/ner128397.pdf.
Quezzaire-Belle, Pilar. Encyclopedia of World Geography. Vol. 1. “Niger.” New York City: Infobase Publishing, 2014.
“The Mineral Industry of Other Countries of Africa.” United States Geological Survey. Last modified 1994. Accessed February 10, 2016. http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/1994/9247094.pdf.
