Accord de N'Djaména entre le Gouvernement de la République du Niger et le Front Démocratique pour le Renouveau (FDR)

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Country/entity: Niger
Air and Azawad
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Accord de N'Djaména entre le Gouvernement de la République du Niger et le Front Démocratique pour le Renouveau (FDR)
Date: 21 Aug 1998
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Tuareg Wars (1962 - )
Mali-Azawad
The nomadic Tuareg in the north of Mali maintained a long-standing revolt against a government traditionally dominated by southern politicians shortly after Mali became independent from France in 1960. The uprisings focused in and around the Azawad region, north of Timbuktu. After several outbreaks of violence during the 1980s, violence peaked with the 1990 outbreak of the Tuareg Rebellion. Following an initial defeat by the Malian Armed Forces, reparations by the government of Alpha Konare included the creation of the self-governing Kidal region. Violence in 1994 died down following peace between moderates on both sides in 1995 and a negotiated peace agreement. Violence continued due to a lack of integration by combatants, but it was not until 2011 that the situation again escalated in the aftermath of the Arab Spring and the disintegration of Libya, which resulted in a heavy inflow of small arms, and the increased involvement by Algeria. In January 2012, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) together with several other groups took full control of the region. Disputes on how to handle the situation led to a military coup against President Touré in March 2012 that, in turn, resulted in further turmoil. The MNLA declared the independence of Azawad, but soon lost control of most of the territory to radical Islamist militias including Ansar Dine. A French intervention in January 2013 paved the way for a UN mission, which was established in April of that year. In June 2015 multiple declarations culminated in a final agreement between several Azawad-affiliated groups, including MNLA, and the government of Mali to end hostilities. However, inadequate implementation of the agreement results in continual armed confrontations between pro-government militias, Azawad-affiliated groups, dissidents of Azawad-affiliated groups, ethnically oriented groups, and increasingly since 2017, radical Islamist militias.

Niger-Aïr-Azawad
In 1990 the nomadic Tuareg in northern Niger explicitly sought greater political autonomy following decades of grievances on local political exclusion. With the first armed group Aïr and Azawad Liberation Front (FLAA) to be established in 1991, fighting between 1990 to 1995 took place largely in the Air Mountains. A short-lived truce was agreed in 1994 between the Niger Government and the Tuareg umbrella organisation Coordination of Armed Resistance (CRA), later called Organisation of Armed Resistance (ORA). Another accord was signed in April 1995 in Ouagadougou with various other Tuareg groups and some Toubou, the last signing in 1998. After ten years of relative peace, Movement of Nigeriens for Justice (MNJ) reinvigorated conflicts in 2007 following little follow up by the Nigeriene government on the signed peace agreements.
Stage: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Niger peace process
Parties: HAVE SIGNED
For The Government of the Republic of Niger
The High Commissioner for the Restoration of Peace Mr MOUSTAPHA TAHI

For the Democratic Front for Renewal
GOUKOUNI MAHAMAN ZENE
Third parties: HAVE SIGNED
For the Government of the Republic of Chad
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation MAHAMAT SALEH ANNADIF
Description: The agreement includes a ceasefire and the Government of Niger's commitment to address political and administrative issues, economic and social development, public affairs, military affairs and the refugee issue.

Agreement document: NE_980821_Accord de N'Djaema_EN.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): NE_980821_Accord de N'Djamea_FR.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Rhetorical
Page 1, Article IV. PARTICIPATION IN AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS:
[...]
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall enrol students and pupils in secondary schools, colleges, professional colleges, institutes and universities in order for them to complete their studies.
[...]
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 1, Article II. POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall take on board the concerns of the FDR concerning administrative decentralisation and on the question of national minorities.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Substantive
Page 2, Article VI. REFUGEES:
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall organise the voluntary return of refugees by CONARAP with the support of the HCR, and ensure their reinsertion in economic life.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: Governance→Political parties reform→Rebels transitioning to political parties
Page 2, Article VII. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
[...]
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall use emergency procedures to accelerate the conversion of FDR into a political party after its disarmament.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: Page 1, Article II. POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall take on board the concerns of the FDR concerning administrative decentralisation and on the question of national minorities.

Page 1, Article IV. PARTICIPATION IN AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS:
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall take back into their respective services, civil servants and agents of the State who left these services for political reasons.
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall recruit new employees from the FDR according to their qualifications, and in terms of its agreements with its development partners.
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall enrol students and pupils in secondary schools, colleges, professional colleges, institutes and universities in order for them to complete their studies. The President of the Republic shall select (FDR) members for appointments to State jobs.
Constitution: Governance→Constitution→Constitution affirmation/renewal
Page 1, Untitled preamble:
The Government of the Republic of Niger and the Democratic Front for Renewal (Le Front Démocratique pour le Renouveau, FDR),
[...]
- Reaffirming their adherence to the constitution of May 12, 1996, and respect for the institutions of the Republic;

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
Page 2, Article V. MILITARY AFFAIRS:
[...]
The elements of the Defence and Security Forces who joined the ranks of the FDR shall be reintegrated in their former units, and their individual positions shall be allocated in accordance with regulations determining the grades and functions of different military and paramilitary units.
Those ex-combatants who are retained after the triage shall be reintegrated in the Saharan Security Units and the paramilitary units. The Government shall take all necessary measures to reinsert demobilised ex-combatants in working life.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: Page 2, VII. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
… The Government of the Republic of Niger shall use emergency procedures to accelerate the
conversion of FDR into a political party after its disarmament.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 1, Untitled preamble:
The Government of the Republic of Niger and the Democratic Front for Renewal (Le Front Démocratique pour le Renouveau, FDR),
- Convinced of the need to find and preserve peace in their country, wishing to consolidate national unity and to devote themselves to the tasks of economic and social development;
[...]
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
[Summary: The agreement provides for a ceasefire starting with the signature of the agreement. It is not indicated that the ceasefire is to be temporary.]

Page 1, Article I. CEASEFIRE:
A ceasefire between the Defence and Security Forces of the Republic of Niger and the FDR, by ending all hostile military activities by each party.
The ceasefire shall enter into force upon signature of the present agreement.
The entry into force of the ceasefire shall be followed by the release of all persons detained on both sides for acts of war.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 1, Article IV. PARTICIPATION IN AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS:
[...]
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall recruit new employees from the FDR according to their qualifications, and in terms of its agreements with its development partners.
[...] The President of the Republic shall select (FDR) members for appointments to State jobs.

Page 2, Article V. MILITARY AFFAIRS:
The issue of post-conflict management in Niger: analysis of the policy of reinsertion of Tuareg ex-combatants
Aofit 2009

With the Government’s help, the FDR shall regroup the ex-combatants at Silla (Department of Diffa). Identification, disarmament and triage shall take place at Diffa during a period not exceeding two months following signature of this agreement.
The elements of the Defence and Security Forces who joined the ranks of the FDR shall be reintegrated in their former units, and their individual positions shall be allocated in accordance with regulations determining the grades and functions of different military and paramilitary units.
Those ex-combatants who are retained after the triage shall be reintegrated in the Saharan Security Units and the paramilitary units. The Government shall take all necessary measures to reinsert demobilised ex-combatants in working life.

Page 2, Article VII. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
[...]
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall use emergency procedures to accelerate the conversion of FDR into a political party after its disarmament.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, Article II. POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall take on board the concerns of the FDR concerning administrative decentralisation and on the question of national minorities.

Page 1, Article IV. PARTICIPATION IN AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS:
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall take back into their respective services, civil servants and agents of the State who left these services for political reasons.
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall recruit new employees from the FDR according to their qualifications, and in terms of its agreements with its development partners.
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall enrol students and pupils in secondary schools, colleges, professional colleges, institutes and universities in order for them to complete their studies. The President of the Republic shall select (FDR) members for appointments to State jobs.

Page 2, Article V. MILITARY AFFAIRS:
The issue of post-conflict management in Niger: analysis of the policy of reinsertion of Tuareg ex-combatants
Aofit 2009

With the Government’s help, the FDR shall regroup the ex-combatants at Silla (Department of Diffa). Identification, disarmament and triage shall take place at Diffa during a period not exceeding two months following signature of this agreement.
The elements of the Defence and Security Forces who joined the ranks of the FDR shall be reintegrated in their former units, and their individual positions shall be allocated in accordance with regulations determining the grades and functions of different military and paramilitary units.
Those ex-combatants who are retained after the triage shall be reintegrated in the Saharan Security Units and the paramilitary units. The Government shall take all necessary measures to reinsert demobilised ex-combatants in working life.

Page 2, Article VII. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
[...]
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall use emergency procedures to accelerate the conversion of FDR into a political party after its disarmament.

Page 2, Article VII. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
[...]
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall use emergency procedures to accelerate the conversion of FDR into a political party after its disarmament.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Amnesty/pardon proper
Page 2, Article VII. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
A general amnesty shall be proclaimed by the Government for persons involved in acts of war before the date of signature of the present agreement.
[...]
Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Relief of other sanctions
Page 1, IV. PARTICIPATION IN AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS:
The Government of the Republic of Niger shall take back into their respective services, civil servants and agents of the State who left these services for political reasons.
[...]
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 1, Article I. CEASEFIRE:
[...]
The entry into force of the ceasefire shall be followed by the release of all persons detained on both sides for acts of war.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, Untitled preamble:
The Government of the Republic of Niger and the Democratic Front for Renewal (Le Front Démocratique pour le Renouveau, FDR),
- Convinced of the need to find and preserve peace in their country, wishing to consolidate national unity and to devote themselves to the tasks of economic and social development;
[...]

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Page 1, Untitled preamble:
The Government of the Republic of Niger and the Democratic Front for Renewal (Le Front Démocratique pour le Renouveau, FDR),
[...]
Have agreed, under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Chad, the following:
[...]

Page 2, [Signed]
[...]
For the Government of the Republic of Chad
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation MAHAMAT SALEH ANNADIF
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Abdoul Karim SAIDOU. 'La problématique de la gestion post conflit au Niger. Analyse de la politique de réinsertion des ex-combattants Touaregs', Université de Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), https://www.memoireonline.com/01/14/8428/m_La-problematique-de-la-gestion-post-conflit-au-Niger-Analyse-de-la-politique-de-reinsertion-des-e40.html

N’DJAEMA AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER AND THE DEMOCRATIC FRONT FOR RENEWAL (FDR)

The Government of the Republic of Niger and the Democratic Front for Renewal (Le Front Démocratique pour le Renouveau, FDR),

Convinced of the need to find and preserve peace in their country, wishing to consolidate national unity and to devote themselves to the tasks of economic and social development;

Reaffirming their adherence to the constitution of May 12, 1996,and respect for the institutions of the Republic;

Have agreed, under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Chad, the following:

I. CEASEFIRE

A ceasefire between the Defence and Security Forces of the Republic of Niger and the FDR, by ending all hostile military activities by each party.

The ceasefire shall enter into force upon signature of the present agreement.

The entry into force of the ceasefire shall be followed by the release of all persons detained on both sides for acts of war.

II. POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

The Government of the Republic of Niger shall take on board the concerns of the FDR concerning administrative decentralisation and on the question of national minorities.

III. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The Government of Niger shall make all the necessary provisions to pursue and accelerate investment in the Kawar-Manga zone.

IV. PARTICIPATION IN AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The Government of the Republic of Niger shall take back into their respective services, civil servants and agents of the State who left these services for political reasons.

The Government of the Republic of Niger shall recruit new employees from the FDR according to their qualifications, and in terms of its agreements with its development partners.

The Government of the Republic of Niger shall enrol students and pupils in secondary schools, colleges, professional colleges, institutes and universities in order for them to complete their studies.

The President of the Republic shall select (FDR) members for appointments to State jobs.

V. MILITARY AFFAIRS

The issue of post-conflict management in Niger:

analysis of the policy of reinsertion of Tuareg ex-combatants

Aofit 2009

With the Government’s help, the FDR shall regroup the ex-combatants at Silla (Department of Diffa).

Identification, disarmament and triage shall take place at Diffa during a period not exceeding two months following signature of this agreement.

The elements of the Defence and Security Forces who joined the ranks of the FDR shall be reintegrated in their former units, and their individual positions shall be allocated in accordance with regulations determining the grades and functions of different military and paramilitary units.

Those ex-combatants who are retained after the triage shall be reintegrated in the Saharan Security Units and the paramilitary units.

The Government shall take all necessary measures to reinsert demobilised ex-combatants in working life.

VI. REFUGEES

The Government of the Republic of Niger shall organise the voluntary return of refugees by CONARAP with the support of the HCR, and ensure their reinsertion in economic life.

VII. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

A general amnesty shall be proclaimed by the Government for persons involved in acts of war before the date of signature of the present agreement.

The Government of the Republic of Niger shall use emergency procedures to accelerate the conversion of FDR into a political party after its disarmament.

VIII.

FINAL PROVISIONS

The present agreement shall be produced in three original copies drafted in French and signed by each of the parties as well as the Mediator.

Done at N’Djaema, August 21, 1998 HAVE SIGNED

For The Government of the Republic of Niger

The High Commissioner for the Restoration of Peace Mr MOUSTAPHA TAHI

For the Democratic Front for Renewal

GOUKOUNI MAHAMAN ZENE

For the Government of the Republic of Chad

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation MAHAMAT SALEH ANNADIF