- Niger's Tuareg rebels have released four French hostages abducted from uranium mine on Sunday to Red Cross yesterday.
The four expatriates working for French company Areva, were abducted by Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) while they were traveling in the region of Arlit, northern Niger.
Red Cross confirmed the release but said it would take the four to the capital Niamey and hand them to authorities today.
Areva's Paris headquarters on Wednesday also confirmed that its four officials were handed over to Red Cross and that they were in good health.
The rebels had earlier this week issued a statement saying an abduction was meant to put pressure on Areva and French government to urge Niger to share more benefits from the country's mining industry with inhabitants of the mineral-rich northern region.
In recent months, northern Niger has seen a string of attacks by MNJ rebel group, which has forced Niger government to provide military protection for uranium mines and oil installations.
The initiated peace talks between Niger government and Tuareg rebels in northern Niger reached a stalemate when Niger government ruled out talks with the rebels unless they disarm.
Areva, which has sealed 40-year mining rights and price fixing partnership with Niger in January, remains the world's second largest uranium producer and largest private employer in Niger.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.