(Nolan 2018)
Introduction
The Republic of Niger is a developing country in the expanding circle. Since it gained independence, it has experienced tumultuous power shifts and different types of governments, and, as a result, it still suffers from lack of infrastructure. The largest challenges facing the country today are droughts, overpopulation, and food instability. Its citizenship is comprised of a diverse range of ethnic groups, and French is the official language spoken. Other languages include Hausa and Djerma.
GeographyNiger is in Western Africa, mostly located in the Sahara desert. As a result, the climate is dry, hot, and dusty, and the country suffers form recurring droughts. Its ecological makeup is four fifths desert and one fifth savannah, and it is one of the hottest countries in the world. The land is characterized by plains, rolling hills, and sand dunes. It is a landlocked country bordering Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, and Nigeria. |
HistoryNiger became a French colony in 1992; the inhabitants of the territories were given French citizenship and allowed limited local political participation. Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991. A democratic government was installed in 1993. Niger's history is characterized by a tumultuous political environment, which includes multiple coups and rebellions. |
PopulationThe country has a population size of 19,866,231, most of which resides in the southernmost part of the country along the Nigeria and Benin border. Niger has the highest total fertility rate of any country in the world. With large household size, high population growth, and high dependence on subsistence farming, available arable land in the region is dwindling. |
(Hausa Tribe 2018)
ReligionsThe most followed religion in Niger is Islam, with the religion makeup being as follows: Muslim 99.3%, Christian .3%, animist .2%, none .1%. The majority of Muslims (95%) are Sunni, with 5% being Shi'a. The country’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and religious instruction in public schools is not permitted. According to the International Religious Freedom Report, "adherents of Christianity include local believers from descendants of French colonial families as well as immigrants from neighboring coastal countries, particularly Benin, Togo, and Ghana." |
Economics“The UN ranked Niger as the second least developed country in the world in 2016 due to multiple factors such as food insecurity, lack of industry, high population growth, a weak educational sector, and few prospects for work outside of subsistence farming and herding” (The World Factbook). The economy depends on agriculture, which contributes to about 40% of GDP, but also includes livestock and large uranium deposits. Economy stability is inhibited by large and common droughts in the region. |
PoliticsThe official name of the government is the Republic of Niger; it is a semi-presidential republic with a prime minister and president as head of state. Its politics are characterized by a mulit-party system. The legislative branch is the national assembly and the judiciary branch has four higher courts. They have a mixed legal system of civil law, Islamic law, and customary law. Citizenship is not achieved by birth, rather it is given only by descendent in which at least one parent must be a citizen of Niger. |
Raena Waldman
Winter 2019
Winter 2019