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Niger suspends 'rebel' aid group | |
(1 day later) | |
The government of Niger has ordered the French charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) to halt all operations. | |
MSF says no reasons were given for the order to stop work but local media say it is suspected of having links with Tuareg rebels. | |
The charity said it was continuing to offer a reduced level of help while talks continued with the government. | The charity said it was continuing to offer a reduced level of help while talks continued with the government. |
The group provides treatment and food aid for ten of thousands of children in Niger, where malnutrition is rife. | The group provides treatment and food aid for ten of thousands of children in Niger, where malnutrition is rife. |
In 2005, it suffered a major food crisis which aid organisations said the government was trying to hide. | In 2005, it suffered a major food crisis which aid organisations said the government was trying to hide. |
Regional marginalisation | Regional marginalisation |
Niger's Radio Anfani said MSF was suspected of helping a group fighting a rebellion in the north of the country, the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ). | Niger's Radio Anfani said MSF was suspected of helping a group fighting a rebellion in the north of the country, the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ). |
The MNJ is made up of nomadic people from the Tuareg ethnic group, which has long complained of being marginalised by the government. | The MNJ is made up of nomadic people from the Tuareg ethnic group, which has long complained of being marginalised by the government. |
Since last year, a series of attacks by the group on government facilities has since claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers. | Since last year, a series of attacks by the group on government facilities has since claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers. |
The rebels recently called for 30% of the revenue from the lucrative uranium mines to be spent in their region, and have threatened to disrupt mining operations unless their demands are met. | The rebels recently called for 30% of the revenue from the lucrative uranium mines to be spent in their region, and have threatened to disrupt mining operations unless their demands are met. |
The government has dismissed the MNJ as drug smugglers, arms traffickers and bandits with no political agenda. | The government has dismissed the MNJ as drug smugglers, arms traffickers and bandits with no political agenda. |
MSF withdrew from the north of Niger for several months in 2007 after three of its vehicles were hijacked by rebels near Agadez. | MSF withdrew from the north of Niger for several months in 2007 after three of its vehicles were hijacked by rebels near Agadez. |
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