Niger

Recent activities

Last Update 10.06.10

2010 began with major political upheaval when, on 18th February 2010, President Mamadou Tandja was ousted from power in a military coup d’Etat. Despite the unconventional procedure, Nigerien civil society and ROTAB (the PWYP affiliated coalition) welcomed the change. President Tandja had been ruling the country unconstitutionally since May 2009 when he dissolved the National Assembly. Working conditions had significantly worsened for CSO activists, such as Marou Amadou and Wada Maman, who underwent imprisonment and other harassment.

CSOs are look hopefully at the interim authorities, which have already expressed their commitment to responsible management of Nigerien resources and have appointed a former transparency activist to lead the way in this regard. Subsequently, Rotab is strongly recommending the establishment of an Enquiry Commission on mining and oil contracts – as many of these will need to be renegotiated.

Unfortunately, the coup also delayed the country’s EITI Validation process, but Niger should nonetheless be able to complete Validation, following the EITI Board’s approval of an extension until September 2010. The Validator has been selected and visited Niger in May.

Starting in February 2010, there have been a series of public training events around budget analysis and participatory budget mechanisms – as part of a wider initiative to try and translate governmental policies into concrete public services for citizens. In a similar vein, Rotab has been advocating for direct democracy with respect to resource allocation, for the benefit of citizens. Supported by OSIWA, Rotab organized a first workshop in Tahana for locally elected officials and civil servants, as well as for civil society. A second one followed in March and gave rise to concrete recommendations – including an increase to 15 per cent for mining royalties, and the rapid completion of a medical centre promised by Areva. Both workshops presented an opportunity for the Rotab coalition to increase its presence in Nigerien regions. In the longer term, Rotab’s vision is for citizens’ participation in all local development policies, as is presently being piloted in Agadez (where local representatives and CSO members participate in a regional budget monitoring committee).

The coalition’s monthly Bulletin d’information du ROTAB PCQVP Niger serves as a comprehensive resource on CSO activities with regard to transparency in the extractive industries in Niger and is available at http://www.rotabniger.org/.