Economic and Social Development – 1999
1999
No substantive socio-economic reform took place as agreed in the peace agreement. As Niger Prime Minister said, “80 per cent of Niger is illiterate, 63 per cent live below official poverty level, life expectancy is 47. Moreover, the financial crisis that has severely crippled Niger’s economic development resulted in a further reduction in public investments, thus depriving most people of basic social services.”1
It was reported that “the decentralization and development of Tuareg regions as demanded by the rebels, has not yet started, fueling the frustration of people in the area, Akotey said. É However, the Tuareg leaders are aware of the complexity of the problem and the fragile nature of the peace process.” “The Niger state as a whole is fragile. The implementation of the agreements implies enormous financial means which Niger does not have,” Akotey noted, adding that “there is still a threat hovering over the peace agreements.”2