WRITTEN QUESTION E-4140/97 by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (21 January 1998)

Subject: Human rights of the Tuareg population in Niger

The Tuareg population in the central Sahara region, which currently numbers more than 3 million people and is divided between Algeria, Libya, Niger, Mali and Burkina-Faso, is currently facing a humanitarian crisis in the refugee camps where many of the population live.

Because of the authoritarian regime currently in power in Niger, there have been violations of the peace agreements between the Republic of Niger and the Tuareg resistance movement in the area, which have led to a renewed outbreak of the conflict between the Government of Niger and the Tuareg people.

The Tuareg people wish to maintain their cultural and socio-economic identity as a nomadic people, something which has continually been disregarded by the countries in which they live and work. The intensification of the conflict has provoked fears that a military offensive may be launched against the Tuareg people, further worsening the situation.

What are the Commission's views on the current situation of the Tuareg people and their conflict with the Government of Niger?

Is the Commission providing cooperation or assistance of any kind to the Tuareg people, either through NGOs or directly?

What type of humanitarian or political measures can the Commission take to restore the integrity and ensure the survival of the Tuareg people?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (5 February 1998)

A peace agreement between the Niger Government and the Tuareg rebels was concluded on 24 April 1995, putting an end to four years of conflict in northern Niger. Implementation of the peace agreement was completed on 5 December 1997 with the signature of its final stage integrating the demobilised forces into the defence, security and civil services. Three minority Tuareg movements - covering those Tuareg to whom the Honourable Member is presumably referring - combined as the Union of Armed Resistance Forces saw themselves as disadvantaged by the way in which the agreement was implemented, dissociated themselves from it and joined the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the Sahara, Toubou rebel movements in the East of the country.

With Algeria acting as mediator, these movements signed on 28 November 1997 an additional protocol to the peace agreement of 24 April 1995 with the Niger Government. The protocol institutes a final cease-fire and includes measures for restoring peace in the region.

The Commission supported efforts at mediation and those of the Niger authorities to implement the peace process. The Commission also provided substantial emergency humanitarian aid to meet the immediate needs of all the peoples of Niger who are refugees, displaced persons or simply locals trying to resettle and resume a normal life. Aid so far has been ECU 2.9 million, in the departments of Agadez and Tahoua. It covered all basic needs (water, food and health care) identified by the people themselves. Aid has been channelled locally through experienced non-governmental organisations favouring an approach which involves the recipient communities.

At the start of this year over ECU 7 million of assistance will be granted by the Commission (ECU 3 million of it in the form of food aid) to prevent food shortages. Since 1995 the Commission has concurrently been running an integrated-development project in the pastoral area, which suffered particularly badly from the effects of insurgency and armed conflict.

Together, these actions make the Community one of the main donors of aid to the people of northern Niger.