Niger (country)

C

Judiciary

District magistrates’ courts, labour courts, and justices of the peace are located throughout Niger; there are three courts of assize. The appeals court sits in Niamey. The High Court of Justice, empowered to try government officials, was authorized in 1991.

D

Health and Welfare

In cooperation with the WHO, Niger is attempting to control such widespread diseases as malaria, yaws, and helminthiasis. The government enforces the provisions of some labour and health legislation, and operates hospitals, medical centres, and dispensaries. Most social welfare services, such as care of the aged, disabled, or orphaned children, are left to the complex, traditional tribal and family social system. In 2004 there were as many as 29,907 people per doctor; around 5 per cent of the country’s GDP is spent on health care (1990). In 2007 the infant mortality rate was one of the world’s highest at 117 deaths per 1,000 live births. The population growth rate is 3 per cent a year.

E

Defence

The armed forces of Niger included about 5,300 personnel in 2004. Paramilitary forces numbered about 5,400. Niger has bilateral defence agreements with France.

F

International Organizations

Niger is a member of the United Nations (UN), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the African Union (OAU).

VI

History

During the Middle Ages the Niger region was on the central caravan route from North Africa to the Hausa states and the empires of Mali and Songhai, and an important centre of the salt trade. The area was therefore penetrated early by Muslim missionaries. The Hausa states were dominant in southern Niger from the 10th century until the early 19th century, when they were conquered by the Fulani under Usuman dan Fodio. Songhai was for 1,000 years the supreme power in the western part of the country, while the Kanem-Bornu Empire exerted a powerful influence in the east. In the 14th century the Tuareg populated the Aïr Plateau, where they subsequently established the sultanate of Agadez.