Niger coup attemp
 

Sounds like there might be a coup attempt going on in Niamey at the moment. Anyone out in the desert to the north and heading south might want to spend another night out under the stars!

News - Africa: Gunfire erupts in Niger capital: witnesses

Slightly more news (speculation)
 

I think this comment to the CBC article has a handle on it - it's got 4 thumbs up already!

Niger has oil and foreign oil corporations operating in the Niger Delta. Funny how oil and corruption is ....

Ch

Nope, thumbs down. The delta is in Nigeria. If there is corruption in Niger it would be more connected to French uranium.
As for oil, a Burkinian friend had it right: "I hope they never find oil here!"

Very few will miss Tandja, but we don't know who will take his place.
If the coup is successful.

http://www.france24.com/en/20100218-...ca-tandja-coup-

This has the military statement on video. Lets hope what he says is true and it passes off peacefuly. They claim all land borders are currently closed.

back to business as usual
 

BBC News - Niger's coup leaders lift curfew

Looks like a new military govt is in charge - borders are open.

Ch

Thanks for the geog lesson, P ;-)

Good sign they want to return to business as usual. As far as coups d'etat go, this was a relatively nice one. Maybe we can visit even the Air and Tenere some day ahead.....

"A junta spokesman, Col Goukoye Abdul Karimou, earlier told the BBC President Mamadou Tandja was "safe and well".
"We are taking care of him - remember he is one of our elder soldiers," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa....Calling themselves the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), the coup leaders promised to turn Niger into an example of "democracy and good governance" and save its people from "poverty, deception and corruption"."

You're welcome, C ;)

Niger
 

That's awesome news, guys - thanks very much! IanC and I are likely to be in Niger towards mid-March and give an update when possible.
Kobus
One ball One continent

Border at Assamaka closed on February, 20
 

Hello,
I had an information from Tamanrasset dating rom February, 20.
That day the border at Assamaka was still closed, not only for tourists but also for Algerians.

Kind regards, Yves

P.S. the restriction in the frontier regions of Tamanrasset had been lifted.

Thanks, Yves

I'm hoping it will change in the next few weeks! Please keep us posted. Got a visa for Morocco as well, so if backtracking is required after riding through Algeria, I have such an option - provided I can get a new Schengen in Alger...

Kobus

Brief profile of the main players in he military.

Factbox: Key players in Niger's military junta | Reuters

Hi,
I was just told that Ain Guezzam - Assamaka is open again (22/02/2010).

Regards, Yves

Thanks, Yves, that's fantastic news! Much appreciated.
Kobus

Good news. If my French is good enough it seems Point Afrique are continuing their plans to fly back to Agadez despite the coup.

Trek Magazine : [Aérien] Niger : Point Afrique maintient ses vols, aerien, niger, point-afrique

Quote from BBC:

"Meanwhile, the military has reportedly used tanks to surround the house of Gen Moumouni Boureima, the former head of the army who refused to back last Thursday's coup."

Hope this doesnt lead to a split in the army.