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CNN World Report

U.N. Introduces Economic Development Programs Into West African Country of Niger

Aired July 15, 2001 - 14:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: On much of the African continent, violent ethnic divisions have been a big part of life. In the West African nation of Niger, nomads in the northeastern part of the country launched a battle for independence in the early 1990. The fighting raged on for years until 1998, until the government and the Democratic Renewal Fund signed a peace accord.

But while the agreement has stopped the fighting on the ground, it has not eased the fear in people's harts. We get more on the story of the struggles in Niger from United Nations television.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID TERESHCHUK, UNTV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is now three years since the devastation of a violent rebellion ended in Niger, and a factional agreements were signed, and the arduous peace time task began of developing this impoverished, arid country.

Some of the opposing forces' guns were given up, but thousands more remain at large, and armed banditry plagues much of the country. So while everyday life and commerce have revived, there is still lingering fear and a sense of danger beneath the surface.

(on camera): Whatever normality and calm people may display as they go about their business, the fact remains here in Niger that many people want to keep their guns -- secretly, of course -- and keep them close at hand. Security officials estimate that private arms possession is running at a rate in the most affected areas of one weapon per family.

DJIBRINA MAMOUNI, PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER: Many people want to keep their arms because of a kind of insecurity. Coming from the rebellion, they are not sure to be protected by the government or their own troops.

TERESHCHUK (voice-over): So, the Nigerian army's priority is now to maintain peace across the country, and newly-formed safety patrols operate, sometimes drawing on former rebels as members.

Meanwhile, the international community plays its part too. The U.N. development program is promoting a project to give people economic incentives for giving up arms. STEVEN URSINO, UNDP: That's the government that's providing the security, an environment of security, and UNDP, that's providing a development perspective to communities by giving them funds to -- for microprograms; and in exchange for those microprograms, providing the arms that we feel we know that are in that area.

TERESHCHUK: Gradually, those known holds of weapons are being surrendered, with the promise that much-needed development projects will take their place. And to build confidence in peace, UNDP supports a community radio network. It's practical because all the stations are solar powered, and the broadcasts are designed to emphasize peace education.

Across the globe, Niger's experience is being highlighted as the U.N. holds a major conference on the proliferation of small arms, a scourge that impedes development in many countries.

JAYANTHA DHANAPALA, U.N. DEPARTMENT OF DISARMAMENT AFFAIRS: We need to make people understand that if they voluntarily surrender guns, and in return there is the incentive of even a small scale development project that can benefit the entire community, this is a far better road to take.

TERESHCHUK: Niger, for its part, steps forward into what it hopes is a future marked by development, not deadly weaponry.

With UNTV, this is David Tereshchuk for CNN WORLD REPORT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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