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'''نایجېر''' چې په رسمي توګه '''د نایجېر ولسمشریزه''' ده د افریقا په ختیځ کې پروت یو هیواد دی.
{{هېواد-مالوماتبکس
|اصلي نوم = ''République du Niger''
|conventional_long_name = Republic of Niger
|عام نوم = نايجېر
|بېرغ = Flag of Niger.svg
|نښان =
|نخشه = LocationNiger.png
|national_motto = Fraternité, Travail, Progrès <br><small>(French for: Fraternity, Work, Progress)</small>
|ملي سرود = [[La Nigerienne]]
|رسمي ژبه = [[French language|French]]
|پلازمېنه = [[Niamey]]
|latd=13 |latm=32 |latNS=N |longd=2 |longm=05 |longEW=E
|لوی ښار = [[Niamey]]
|د حکومت بڼه = [[Parliamentary democracy]]
|leader_title1 = [[List of Presidents of Niger|President]]
|leader_title2 = [[List of Prime Ministers of Niger|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name1 = [[Tandja Mamadou]]
|leader_name2 = [[Hama Amadou]]
|مساحتي وېش = 22nd
|د مساحت ارتوالی = 1 E12
|مساحت = 1,267,000
|areami²=489,189 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->
|د اوبو سلنه= 0.0002%
|د وګړو اټکل = 13,957,000
|population_estimate_rank = 64th
|د وګړو د شمېر د اټکل کال = جولای 2005
|د وګړو سرشمېرنه =
|د وګړو د سرشمېرنې کال =
|د وګړو ګڼه ګونه = 11
|population_densitymi² =28 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->
|population_density_rank = 206th
|GDP_PPP = $10.951 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 132nd
|GDP_PPP_year= 2005
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $ 872
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 171st
|sovereignty_type = [[History of Niger|Independence]]
|زمکنۍ بشپړتيا = From [[France]]
|established_event1 = Declared
|established_date1 = [[August 3]], [[1960]]
|HDI = 0.281
|HDI_rank = 177th
|HDI_year = 2003
|HDI_category = <font color="#E0584E">low</font>
|پېسه = [[CFA franc]]
|د پېسو نښه = XOF
|هېوادنی کوډ = NER
|وخت =
|utc_offset = +1
|time_zone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|cctld = [[.ne]]
|پېل ګڼ = 227
|پايڅوړ =
}}
{{otheruses}}
'''Niger''', officially the '''Republic of Niger''', is a [[landlocked]] [[Sub-Saharan Africa|sub-Saharan]] country in [[Western Africa]], named after the [[Niger River]]. It borders [[نايجېريا]] and [[Benin]] to the south, [[بورکينا فاسو]] and [[مالي]] to the west, [[الجېريا]] and [[ليبيا]] to the north and [[چاډ]] to the East. The capital city is [[Niamey]]. Its proper English pronunciation (in [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]) is {{IPA|/niːˈʒɛə(ɹ)/}}, although {{IPA|/ˈnaɪdʒə(ɹ)/}} is also acceptable. Its adjective form is [[:wikt:Nigerien|''Nigeri'''e'''n'']] {{IPA|/niːˈʒɛɹiən/}}, which should not be confused with [[:wikt:Nigerian|''Nigeri'''a'''n'']] {{IPA|/naɪˈdʒiɹiən/}} for [[Nigeria]] and derives from the French nigérien, -ne. There are different opinions about the adjective form however. [[Merriam-Webster]] lists Nigerois as the adjective form which has - despite its sound - no equivalent form in French. [[CNN]] and other news sources often circumvent using the adjective altogether, using the noun instead, e.g. 'the Niger parliament', 'Niger leader slain' or 'Niger's capital', 'Niger's people'.
==تاريخ==
{{main|History of Niger}}
Considerable evidence indicates that about 600,000 years ago, humans inhabited what has since become the desolate [[Sahara]] of northern Niger. Niger was an important economic crossroads, and the empires of [[Songhai]], [[Mali]], [[Gao]], [[Kanem-Bornu Empire|Kanem, and Bornu]], as well as a number of Hausa states, claimed control over portions of the area.
During recent centuries, the nomadic [[Tuareg]] formed large confederations, pushed southward, and, siding with various [[Hausa people|Hausa]] states, clashed with the [[Fulani Empire]] of [[Sokoto]], which had gained control of much of the Hausa territory in the late 18th century.
In the 19th century, contact with the West began when the first European explorers—notably [[Mungo Park (explorer)|Mungo Park]] (British) and [[Heinrich Barth]] (German)—explored the area, searching for the source of the [[Niger River]]. Although [[France|French]] efforts at pacification began before 1900, dissident ethnic groups, especially the desert [[Tuareg]], were not subdued until 1922, when Niger became a French colony.
Niger's colonial history and development parallel that of other [[French West Africa]]n territories. France administered its West African colonies through a governor general at [[Dakar]], [[Senegal]], and governors in the individual territories, including Niger. In addition to conferring French citizenship on the inhabitants of the territories, the 1946 French constitution provided for decentralization of power and limited participation in political life for local advisory assemblies.
A further revision in the organization of overseas territories occurred with the passage of the Overseas Reform Act (''Loi Cadre'') of [[July 23]] [[1956]], followed by reorganizational measures enacted by the French Parliament early in 1957. In addition to removing voting inequalities, these laws provided for creation of governmental organs, assuring individual territories a large measure of self-government. After the establishment of the [[Fifth French Republic]] on [[December 4]] [[1958]], Niger became an autonomous state within the French Community. Following full independence on [[August 3]] [[1960]], however, membership was allowed to lapse.
For its first 14 years as an independent state, Niger was run by a single-party civilian regime under the [[List of Presidents of Niger|presidency]] of [[Hamani Diori]]. In 1974, a combination of devastating [[drought]] and accusations of rampant [[political corruption|corruption]] resulted in a military [[coup]] that overthrew the Diori regime. Col. [[Seyni Kountché]] and a small military group ruled the country until Kountché's death in 1987. He was succeeded by his Chief of Staff, Col. [[Ali Saibou]], who released [[political prisoners]], liberalized some of Niger's laws and policies, and promulgated a new [[constitution]]. However, President Saibou's efforts to control political reforms failed in the face of union and student demands to institute a multi-party [[democracy|democratic system]]. The Saibou regime acquiesced to these demands by the end of 1990. New political parties and civic associations sprang up, and a national conference was convened in July 1991 to prepare the way for the adoption of a new constitution and the holding of free and fair elections. The debate was often contentious and accusatory, but under the leadership of Prof. André Salifou, the conference developed consensus on the modalities of a [[transitional government|transition government]]. A transition government was installed in November 1991 to manage the affairs of state until the institutions of the Third Republic were put into place in April 1993. While the economy deteriorated over the course of the transition, certain accomplishments stand out, including the successful conduct of a constitutional [[referendum]]; the adoption of key legislation such as the electoral and rural codes; and the holding of several free, fair, and non-violent nationwide elections. [[Freedom of the press]] flourished with the appearance of several new independent newspapers.
Rivalries within a ruling coalition elected in 1993 led to governmental paralysis, which provided Col. [[Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara]] a rationale to overthrow the Third Republic in January 1996. While leading a military authority that ran the government ([[Conseil de Salut National]]) during a 6-month transition period, Baré enlisted specialists to draft a new constitution for a Fourth Republic announced in May 1996. Baré organized a presidential election in July 1996. While voting was still going on, he replaced the electoral commission and the new commission declared him the winner. His party won 90% of parliament seats in a flawed legislative election in November 1996. When his efforts to justify his [[coup]] and subsequent questionable elections failed to convince donors to restore [[multilateral]] and [[bilateral]] economic assistance, a desperate Baré ignored an international [[embargo]] against [[Libya]] and sought Libyan funds to aid Niger's economy. In repeated violations of basic civil liberties by the regime, opposition leaders were imprisoned; journalists often arrested, beaten, and deported by an unofficial militia composed of police and military; and independent media offices were looted and burned with impunity.
In the culmination of an initiative started under the 1991 national conference, however, the government signed peace accords in April 1995 with all [[Tuareg]] and [[Toubou]] groups that had been in rebellion since 1990, claiming they lacked attention and resources from the central government. The government agreed to absorb some former rebels into the military and, with [[France|French]] assistance, help others return to a productive civilian life.
In [[9 April]] [[1999]], Baré was killed in a coup led by Maj. [[Daouda Malam Wanké]], who established a transitional National Reconciliation Council to oversee the drafting of a constitution for a Fifth Republic with a French style [[semi-presidential system]]. In votes that international observers found to be generally free and fair, the Nigerien electorate approved the new constitution in July 1999 and held legislative and presidential elections in October and November 1999. Heading a coalition of the [[National Movement for a Developing Society]] (MNSD) and the [[Democratic and Social Convention]] (CDS), Mamadou Tandja won the presidency.
In July 2004, Niger held municipal elections nationwide as part of its [[decentralization]] process. Some 3,700 people were elected to new local governments in 265 newly established communes. The ruling MNSD party won more positions than any other political party; however, opposition parties made significant gains.
In November and December 2004, Niger held [[Niger presidential election, 2004|presidential]] and legislative [[Elections in Niger|elections]]. Tandja Mamadou was elected to his second 5-year presidential term with 65% of the vote in an election that international observers called generally free and fair. This was the first presidential election with a democratically elected incumbent and a test to Niger's young democracy.
In the 2004 legislative elections, the [[National Movement of the Development Society]] (MNSD), the [[Democratic and Social Convention]] (CDS), the [[Social Democratic Rally]] (RSD), the [[Rally for Democracy and Progress (Niger)|Rally for Democracy and Progress]](RDP), the [[Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress]] (ANDP), and the [[Party for Socialism and Democracy in Niger]] (PSDN) coalition, which backed Tandja, won 88 of the 113 seats in the National Assembly.
The [[2005 Niger food crisis]] struck the country in the wake of drought and [[locust]] attacks in the previous year.
==سياست==
<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series-->
{{morepolitics|country=Niger}}
[[Image:Mamadou Tandja 2005.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Mamadou Tandja, current President of the National Assembly of Niger.]]
Niger's new constitution was approved in July 1999. It restored the semi-presidential system of government of the December 1992 constitution (Third Republic) in which the president of the republic, elected by [[universal suffrage]] for a five-year term, and a prime minister named by the president share [[executive power]]. As a reflection of Niger's increasing population, the [[unicameral]] [[National Assembly of Niger|National Assembly]] was expanded in 2004 to 113 deputies elected for a 5 year term under a majority system of representation. Political parties must attain at least 5% of the vote in order to gain a seat in the legislature.
Niger's independent judicial system is composed of four higher courts--the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court, the High Court of Justice, and the Constitutional Court.
The constitution also provides for the popular election of municipal and local officials, and the first-ever successful municipal elections took place [[24 July]] [[2004]]. The National Assembly passed in June 2002 a series of decentralization bills. As a first step, administrative powers will be distributed among 265 communes (local councils); in later stages, regions and departments will be established as decentralized entities. A new electoral code was adopted to reflect the decentralization context. The country is currently divided into 8 regions, which are subdivided into 36 districts (departments). The chief administrator (Governor) in each department is appointed by the government and functions primarily as the local agent of the central authorities.
[[وېشنيزه:د افریقایي اتحادیه غړي هیوادونه]]
The current legislature elected in December 2004 contains seven political parties. President Mamadou Tandja was re-elected in December 2004 and reappointed Hama Amadou as Prime Minister. Mahamane Ousmane, the head of the CDS, was re-elected President of the National Assembly (parliament) by his peers. The new second term government of the Fifth Republic took office on [[30 December]] [[2002]]. In August 2002, serious unrest within the military occurred in Niamey, Diffa, and Nguigmi, but the government was able to restore order within several days.
[[وېشنيزه:نایجېر]]
==اداري وېشنې==
''Main articles: [[Departments of Niger]], [[Arrondissements of Niger]]''
Niger is divided into 7 [[Department (subnational entity)|departments]] and subdivided into 35 [[arrondissement]]s and further subdivided into 129 [[commune (subnational entity)|commune]]s.
The [[Departments of Niger|departments]] include:
*[[Agadez (department)|Agadez]]
*[[Diffa (department)|Diffa]]
*[[Dosso (department)|Dosso]]
*[[Maradi (department)|Maradi]]
*[[Tahoua (department)|Tahoua]]
*[[Tillabéri (department)|Tillabéri]]
*[[Zinder (department)|Zinder]]
Arrondissements: see [[Arrondissements of Niger]]
==جغرافيه==
[[Image:niger_sm03.png|thumb|Map of Niger.]]
{{MapLibrary|Niger_sat.png|Niger}}
''Main article: [[Geography of Niger]]''
Niger is a [[landlocked]] nation in [[West Africa]] located along the border between the [[Sahara]] and [[Sub-Saharan Africa|Sub-Saharan]] regions. Its [[Geographic coordinate system|geographic coordinates]] [[longitude]] 16°N and [[latitude]] 8°E. Its area is 1,267,000 [[square kilometre]]s<!--format per WP:MOSNUM --> (489,000 [[square mile|sq mi]]) of which 300 square kilometres (115 sq mi) is water. This makes Niger slightly less than twice the size of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]].
Niger borders seven countries on all sides and has a total of 5,697 kilometres (3,540 [[mile|mi]]) of borders. The longest border is [[Chad]] to the east, at 1,175 kilometres (730 mi). This is followed by [[Nigeria]] to the south (1,497 km; 930 mi), [[Algeria]] to the north-northwest (956 km; 594 mi), and [[Mali]] at 821 kilometres (510 mi). Niger also has small borders in its far southwest frontier with [[Burkina Faso]] at 628 kilometres (390 mi) and [[Benin]] at 266 kilometres (165 mi) and to the north-northeast ([[Libya]] at 354 kilometres (220 mi).
[[Image:Niger Safari.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The fertile south of Niger near the river delta.]]
Niger's [[subtropical]] climate is mainly hot and dry, with much [[desert]] area. In the extreme south there is a [[tropical]] climate on the edges of the [[Niger River]] basin. The terrain is predominantly desert plains and [[sand dune]]s, with flat to rolling plains in south and hills in the north.
The lowest point is the [[Niger River]], with an elevation of 200 metres (722 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]]). The highest point is [[Monts Bagzane]] at 2,022 metres (6,634 ft).
See also : [[List of cities in Niger]]
==اقتصاد==
''Main article: [[Economy of Niger]]''
[[Image:Niamey night.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Niamey, Niger's capital and economic hub]]
By one measure, the [[UN_Human_Development_Index|United Nations Human Development Index]], Niger is the poorest country in the world. Its economy is based largely on [[subsistence farming]], [[livestock]], and some of the world's largest [[uranium]] deposits. Drought cycles, [[desertification]], a 3.3% population growth rate, and the drop in world demand for uranium have undercut an already marginal economy. Traditional subsistence farming, [[herding]], small trading, seasonal migration, and informal markets dominate an economy that generates few formal sector jobs. Although [[slavery]] is illegal in Niger, human rights activists say that the laws prohibiting it are seldom enforced.[http://www.antislavery.org/homepage/antislavery/award/nigerbackground2004.htm] The head of the government's National Commission for Human Rights and Fundamental Liberation claims that slavery does not exist, saying "Even if they have no salary, they refuse to leave the master because they are at ease with the master;" but foreign journalists report that, according to claims by opposition lawmakers, "about 10% of the members of parliament keep slaves or are from slave-owning families."[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-slavery3sep03,1,994890.story]
Niger's agricultural and livestock sectors are the mainstay of all but 18% of the population. Fourteen percent of Niger's [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]] is generated by livestock production--[[camels]], [[domestic_goat|goats]], [[domestic sheep|sheep]], and [[cattle]]--said to support 29% of the population. The 15% of Niger's land that is arable is found mainly along its southern border with Nigeria. Rainfall varies and when insufficient, Niger has difficulty feeding its population and must rely on grain purchases and food aid to meet food requirements. Although the rains in 2000 were not good, for the past three years rains were relatively plentiful and well distributed, contributing to good cereal harvests. Millet, sorghum, and cassava are Niger's principal rain-fed subsistence crops. Cowpeas and onions are grown for commercial export, as are limited quantities of garlic, peppers, [[gum arabic]], and sesame seeds.
Of Niger's exports, foreign exchange earnings from livestock, although difficult to quantify, are second only to those from uranium. Actual exports far exceed official statistics, which often fail to detect large herds of animals informally crossing into Nigeria. Some hides and skins are exported, and some are transformed into handicrafts.
The persistent uranium price slump has brought lower revenues for Niger's uranium sector, although uranium still provides 72% of national export proceeds. The nation enjoyed substantial export earnings and rapid economic growth during the 1960s and 1970s after the opening of two large uranium mines near the northern town of Arlit. When the uranium-led boom ended in the early 1980s, however, the economy stagnated, and new investment since then has been limited. Niger's two uranium mines--SOMAIR's open pit mine and COMINAK's underground mine--are owned by a French-led consortium and operated by French interests.
Exploitable deposits of [[gold]] are known to exist in Niger in the region between the Niger River and the border with [[Burkina Faso]]. On [[October 5]], [[2004]] President Tandja announced the official opening of the [[Samira Hill Gold Mine]] in the region of Tera and the first Nigerien gold [[ingot]] was presented to him. This marked a historical moment for Niger as the Samira Hill Gold Mine represents the first commercial gold production in the country. Samira Hill is owned by a company called SML (Societe des Mines du Liptako) which is a joint venture between a Moroccan company, Societe SEMAFO Inc. and a Canadian company, ETRUSCAN. Both companies own 80% (40% - 40%) of SML and the Government of Niger 20%. The first year’s production is predicted to be 135,000 [[Troy weight|troy ounces]] (4,200 kg; 9,260 [[Avoirdupois|Lb]]) of gold at a cash value of USD 177 per ounce ($5.70/g). The mine reserves for the Samira Hill mine total 10,073,626 tons at an average grade of 2.21 grams per ton from which 618,000 troy ounces (19,200 kg; 42,400 Lb) will be recovered over a 6 year mine life. SML believes to have a number of significant gold deposits within what is now recognized as the gold belt known as the "Samira Horizon".
Substantial deposits of [[phosphates]], [[coal]], [[iron]], [[limestone]], and [[gypsum]] also have been found in Niger. Niger has oil potential. In 1992, the Djado permit was awarded to Hunt Oil, and in 2003 the Tenere permit was awarded to the China National Petroleum Company. An [[ExxonMobil]]-[[Petronas]] joint venture now holds the sole rights to the Agadem block, north of [[Lake Chad]], and oil exploration is ongoing. The parastatal SONICHAR (Societe Nigerienne de Charbon) in Tchirozerine (north of Agadez) extracts coal from an open pit and fuels an electricity generating plant that supplies energy to the uranium mines. There are additional coal deposits to the south and west that are of a higher quality and may be exploitable.
The economic competitiveness created by the January 1994 devaluation of the [[CFA franc|Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) franc]] contributed to an annual average economic growth of 3.5% throughout the mid-1990s. But the economy stagnated due to the sharp reduction in foreign aid in 1999 (which gradually resumed in 2000) and poor rains in 2000. Reflecting the importance of the agricultural sector, the return of good rains was the primary factor underlying economic growth of 5.1% in 2000, 3.1% in 2001, 6.0% in 2002, and 3.0% in 2003.
In recent years, the Government of Niger drafted revisions to the investment code (1997 and 2000), petroleum code (1992), and mining code (1993), all with attractive terms for investors. The present government actively seeks foreign private investment and considers it key to restoring economic growth and development. With the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), it has undertaken a concerted effort to revitalize the private sector.
Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other members of the West African Monetary Union. The Treasury of the Government of France supplements the BCEAO's international reserves in order to maintain a fixed rate of 656 CFA to the euro.
===اقتصادي سمونې===
In January 2000, Niger's newly elected government inherited serious financial and economic problems, including a virtually empty treasury, past-due salaries (11 months of arrears) and scholarship payments, increased debt, reduced revenue performance, and lower public investment. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) program for [[Highly Indebted Poor Countries]] (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a [[Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility]] (PRGF). In January 2001, Niger reached its decision point and subsequently reached its completion point in 2004. Total relief from all of Niger's creditors is worth about $890 million, corresponding to about $520 million in net present value (NPV) terms, which is equivalent to 53.5% of Niger’s total debt outstanding as of 2000. The debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing about $40 million per year over the coming years for expenditures on basic [[health care]], primary education, [[HIV/AIDS]] prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. The overall impact on Niger's budget is substantial. Debt service as a percentage of government revenue will be slashed from nearly 44% in 1999 to 10.9% in 2003 and average 4.3% during 2010-19. The debt relief cuts debt service as a percentage of export revenue from more than 23% to 8.4% in 2003, and decreases it to about 5% in later years.
In addition to strengthening the budgetary process and public finances, the Government of Niger has embarked on an ambitious program to privatize 12 state-owned companies. To date, seven have been fully privatized, including the water and telephone utilities, with the remainder to be privatized in 2005. A newly installed multisectoral regulatory agency will help ensure free and fair competition among the newly privatized companies and their private sector competitors. In its effort to consolidate macroeconomic stability under the PRGF, the government is also taking actions to reduce corruption, and as the result of a participatory process encompassing civil society, has devised a Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan that focuses on improving health, primary education, rural infrastructure, agricultural production, environmental protection, and judicial reform.
===باندنۍ مرستې===
The most important donors in Niger are [[France]], the [[European Union]], the [[World Bank]], the [[IMF]], and [[UN]] agencies--[[UNDP]], [[UNICEF]], [[FAO]], [[WFP]], and [[UNFPA]]. Other donors include the [[United States]], [[Belgium]], [[Germany]], [[Switzerland]], [[Japan]], [[China]], [[Italy]], [[Libya]], [[Egypt]], [[Morocco]], [[Iran]], [[Denmark]], [[Canada]], and [[Saudi Arabia]]. While the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) does not have an office in Niger, the United States is a major donor, contributing on average $8 million each year to Niger’s development increasing to $12 million in FY 2004. The United States also is a major partner in policy coordination in food security, education, water management and HIV/AIDS sectors. The importance of external support for Niger's development is demonstrated by the fact that about 45% of the government's FY 2002 budget, including 80% of its capital budget, derived from donor resources.
==باندنۍ اړيکې==
Niger pursues a moderate foreign policy and maintains friendly relations with the West and the [[Islam|Islamic]] world as well as nonaligned countries. It belongs to the [[United Nations]] and its main specialized agencies and in 1980-81 served on the [[UN Security Council]]. Niger maintains a special relationship with France and enjoys close relations with its [[West Africa]]n neighbors. It is a charter member of the [[African Union]] and the [[West African Monetary Union]] and also belongs to the [[Niger River and Lake Chad Basin Commissions]], the [[Economic Community of West African States]], the [[Nonaligned Movement]], and the [[Organization of the Islamic Conference]]. The westernmost regions of Niger are joined with contiguous regions [[Mali]] and [[Burkina Faso]] under the [[Liptako-Gourma Authority]].
==دفاعي نظام==
The Niger Armed Forces total 10,000 personnel with approximately 3,700 gendarmes, 300 air force, and 6,000 army personnel. The air force has four operational transport aircraft. The armed forces include general staff and battalion task force organizations consisting of two paratroop units, four light armored units, and nine motorized infantry units located in Tahoua, Agadez, Dirkou, Zinder, Nguigmi, N'Gourti, and Madewela. Since January 2003, Niger has deployed a company of troops to Cote d’Ivoire as part of the ECOWAS stabilization force. In 1991, Niger sent a 400-man military contingent to join the American-led allied forces against Iraq during the Gulf War.
Niger's defense budget is modest, accounting for about 1.6% of government expenditures. France provides the largest share of military assistance to Niger. [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]], [[China]], and Libya have also provided military assistance. Approximately 15 French military advisers are in Niger. Many Nigerien military personnel receive training in France, and the Nigerien Armed Forces are equipped mainly with material either given by or purchased in France. In the past, U.S. assistance focused on training pilots and aviation support personnel, professional military education for staff officers, and initial specialty training for junior officers. A small foreign military assistance program was initiated in 1983. A U.S. Defense Attaché office opened in June 1985 and assumed Security Assistance Office responsibilities in 1987. The office closed in 1996 following a [[coup d'état]]. A U.S. Defense Attaché office reopened in July 2000. The United States provided transportation and logistical assistance to Nigerien troops deployed to Cote d’Ivoire in 2003. Additionally, the U.S. provided initial equipment training on vehicles and communications gear to a select contingent of Nigerien soldiers as part of the Department of State [[Pan-Sahel Initiative]].
==Demographics==
[[Image:Niger-bevoelkerungspyramide.png|thumb|300px|Population age of Niger.]]
''Main article: [[Demographics of Niger]]''
The largest ethnic groups in Niger are the [[Hausa people|Hausa]], who also constitute the major ethnic group in northern [[Nigeria]], and the [[Djerma-Songhai]], who also are found in parts of [[Mali]]. Both groups, along with the [[Gourmantche]], are sedentary farmers who live in the arable, southern tier of the country. The remainder of Nigeriens are [[nomadic]] or semi-nomadic livestock-raising peoples--[[Fula people|Fulani]], [[Tuareg]], [[Kanuri]], Arabs, and [[Toubou]]. With rapidly growing populations and the consequent competition for meager natural resources, lifestyles of agriculturalists and livestock herders have come increasingly into conflict in Niger in recent years.
Niger's high infant mortality rate is comparable to levels recorded in neighboring countries. However, the child mortality rate (deaths among children between the ages of 1 and 4) is exceptionally high (248 per 1,000) due to generally poor health conditions and inadequate nutrition for most of the country's children. According to the organization [[Save the Children]], Niger has the world's highest infant mortality rate [http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/parenting/05/08/mothers.index/index.html]. Nonetheless, Niger has the highest fertility rate in the world (7.2 births per woman), means that nearly half (49%) of the Nigerien population is under age 15. Between 1996 and 2003, primary school attendance was around 30% [http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/niger_statistics.html], including 36% of males and only 25% of females. Additional education occurs through [[madrassa]]s.
==فرهڼ==
''Main article: [[Culture of Niger]]''
[[Image:Niamey Mosque.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A mosque in Niamey]]
*[[Music of Niger]]
*[[List of African writers (by country)#Niger|List of writers from Niger]]
{{sectstub}}
==رسنۍ==
Niger started to develop diverse media in the late 1990s. Niamey boasts scores of newspapers and magazines, many of which are fiercely critical of the government.
Radio is the most important medium, as television sets are beyond the buying power of many of the rural poor and illiteracy prevents the print media from becoming a mass medium.
As well as the national and regional radio services of the state broadcaster ORTN, there are four privately owned radio networks which total more than 100 stations.
Three of them - the Anfani Group, Sarounia, and Tenere - are urban based commercial format FM networks in the major towns. There is also a network of over 80 community radio stations spread across all seven regions of the country, governed by the Comité de Pilotage de Radios de Proximité (CPRP), a civil society organisation.
The independent sector radio networks are collectively estimated by CPRP officials to cover some 7.5 million people, or about 70% of the population (2005).
As well as Nigerien radio stations, the BBC's Hausa service is listened to on FM repeaters across wide parts of the country, particularly in the south, close to the border with Nigeria. Radio France Internationale also rebroadcasts in French through some of the commercial stations, via satellite.
Tenere also runs a national independent television station of the same name.
Despite relative freedom at the national level, Nigerien journalists say they are often pressured by local authorities. The state ORTN network depends financially on the government, partly through an addition to electricity bills and partly through direct subsidy.
The sector is governed by the Conseil Superieur de Communications, established as an independent body in the late 1990s, headed by Maryam Keita, a former TV presenter at ORTN.
==بېلابېل سرليکونه==
* [[List of Nigeriens]]
* [[Communications in Niger]]
* [[Foreign relations of Niger]]
* [[Military of Niger]]
* [[Transportation in Niger]]
* [[Yellowcake forgery]]
* [[Plame affair]]
* [[2005-06 Niger food crisis]]
* [[Association des Scouts du Niger]]
==سرچينې==
*Samuel Decalo, ''Historical Dictionary of Niger'', 3rd ed. (Scarecrow Press, 1997, ISBN 0-8108-3136-8) - a comprehensive collection of Niger topics
*[[CIA World Factbook]]
*[[US State Department]] [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5474.htm]
*[http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/niger_statistics.html Unicef Niger statistics]
*[http://www.nsu.newschool.edu/internationalaffairs/papers/thiam.pdf Unesco manuscript on child work and schooling in Niger]
==باندنۍ تړنې==
{{sisterlinks|Niger}}
'''Government'''
*[http://www.assemblee.ne/ Niger Assemblee Nationale ] official site
*[http://www.un.int/niger/ Mission of Niger to the United Nations] official site
'''News'''
*[http://allafrica.com/niger/ allAfrica - Niger] news headline links
*[http://nigerportal.com/ Nigerportal - Niger] web portal on Niger in french
*[http://www.nigerdiaspora.com/ Nigerdiaspora - Niger] network for the Niger diaspora worldwide
'''Overviews'''
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1054396.stm BBC News Country Profile - ''Niger'']
*[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ng.html CIA World Factbook - ''Niger'']
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Niger Open Directory Project - ''Niger''] directory category
*[http://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/ng/ US State Department - ''Niger''] includes Background Notes, Country Commercial Guides and major reports
'''Tourism'''
*{{wikitravel}}
* [http://www.niger-tourisme.com '''Ministry of Tourism''']. Official website - Includes comprehensive information on Tourism in Niger
'''Other'''
* [http://globalgiving.com How to Give Direct to Address Hunger and Improve Social Conditions in Niger]
* [http://www.izf.net/izf/Documentation/Cartes/Pays/supercartes/niger.htm Map of Niger with departements]
* [http://www.agadez-niger.com Maps of Niger, pictures of Agadez, Tuaregs and handcraft from Niger]
* [http://www.antislavery.org/homepage/antislavery/award/nigerbackground2004.htm Anti-slavery.org page on slavery in Niger]
{{Africa}}
[[Category:African Union member states]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
[[Category:Niger| ]]
[[Category:French-speaking countries]]
[[Category:Francophonie]]
[[af:Niger]]
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