afrol News, 22 August - The government of Niger has extended the state of alert in the troubled northern region so as to intensify military onslaught against rebel fighters of Movement for Justice in Niger (MNJ).

The state of alert, extended by President Mamadou Tandja, has been in place in the region since last year. President Tandja has authorised the security forces to patrol, carry out investigations and check ID cards in the region.

Pre-dominantly dominated by Tuaregs who held anger against the government for denying their uranium-rich communities development packages, the MNJ began a revolt in February 2007.

Few days ago, the group denied reports of ending the armed struggle through the intervention of Libya. The group accused the Nigerien government of trading "unfounded and misleading information."

Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi who has promised to throughly investigate the rebels allegations advised them to be aware that justice cannot be achieved only through armed struggles.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories