afrol News, 15 May - The Niger’s two largest Tuareg rebel groups have agreed to a ceasefire following talks with Prime Minister Seyni Oumarou. The Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) and the Niger Patriotic Front (FPN) said they are ready to lay down arms if the government is willing to share Uranium riches in the north African state’s Sahara dessert.

MNJ has had fierce battles with Niger government over control of the northern region. Its rebellion, which came to its height in 2007.

The decades old conflict between nomadic Tuaregs and the government has been reignited by the exploitation of uranium in the Sahara Desert in northern Niger.

In August 2008, MNJ denied its readiness to lay down arms and vowed to continue armed revolt in the northern region until all their legitimate demands were met by the government.

Meanwhile, the first round of Niger's presidential election will be held on 14 November, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced late Thursday, with the second round scheduled to take place on 6 December.

Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi whose government has been trying to find a lasting solution to the conflict, warned the MNJ that they would be wrong to fight injustice with arms alone. He promised to launch a thorough investigation into the Tuareg's claims of discrimination in Niger and Mali.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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