Struggling to find any news on the referendum and the forthcoming presidential elections in Niger - there's almost nothing on the internet apart from some general information like this:

AFP - "The electoral campaign in the crisis-hit country will last from September 28 to October 18... but the opposition had already indicated it would boycott the elections and called for nationwide demonstrations Saturday.

(president) Tandja had (on Aug 18) promulgated a new constitution which will allow him to stand for re-election and then seek unlimited mandates after a highly controversial referendum held on August 4."

The MNJ site has been silent since early June. I read on a news site that there's a split in the MNJ, but no details are given.

There's almost no coverage of the recent referendum and the following unrest in the streets of Niamey, and it seems there are no foreign journalists left in Niger.

There is also no recent news - I found none - regarding the rebellion. Is anything happening in the north at all now?

The outcome of the referendum and the elections might seriously affect travelling in Niger in the observed future. I am wondering if anyone has any first-hand or otherwise reliable news on the political/travel situation, especially in the north of the country. Anyone crossed the border at Assamaka lately? What's the convoy situation like? Are Niger visas being issued at all? Who is 'opposition' now if the MNJ has split up?

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