Abductions in the Sahara

In another incident highlighting the growing threat of Islamist-linked abductions in the Saharan region, a French tourist and his Algerian driver were kidnapped in northern Niger on 21 April near the town of Tiguidan Tessoun. The abduction is the latest in a string of abductions in the region targeting foreign nationals. The incident came as Saharan states announced the establishment of an anti-terror HQ in southern Algeria aimed at combatting this particular and growing threat. It remains to be seen if states like Niger, whos armed forces exert negligible authority outside of primary urban centres, can assist in any meaningful way. Algeria, with its well-equipped armed forces, will have to take the burden for this new venture; however, whether neighbouring states will alow Algerian military units in their territories remains unknown. As such MECASR expects extremists to continue to take advantage of the insecurity in the region to abduct foreign, particular Western, nationals.

The Saharan miracle

In a region where coups and political instability are as common as flies on starving baby's faces, there are positive signs that the military junta running Niger will soon hand over power to a civilian government. In February 2010, members of the armed forces captured President Tandja and members of his cabinet and took control of the country. Now they say a consultative council including members of all sectors of the political and military spectrum is being established under long time opposition leader Amadou to review the controversial constitutional changes made by Tandja in 2009. The body is also being tasked with arranging fresh elections; however, in another positive move the military junta (led by Salou Djibo, pictured here) have stated that no members of the military or the consultative council may run in the next election. Its not all good, it never is. There are concerns over the status of the Tuareg rebels. A delegation of the rebels arrived in Niamey in early April but faced less than a warm welcome by the ruling junta. Long time rebel leader, Rhissa Ag Boula, and Kindo Zada, an ex-Niger army officer who deserted the military to join the Tuareg rebellion in 2007 were immediately arrested by the local security forces. The rebels, who signed peace agreements with the Tandja government in 2009, have not responded but we dont think this is necessarily a bad thing. The rebels are being shown that the junta will not negotiate with murderers (Ag Bougla has faced a murder rap since 2008), turncoats or other individuals showing 'anti-Nigerien' qualities. Who knows, the country may yet turn things around and with the current hard man and protector of the people, Salou Djibo, at the helm who would bet against them.