Stories from Niamey · Niger

Nigerien authorities have canceled all May Day celebrations across the country, including street parades in Niamey. The decision follows threats from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are members of the Alliance of Sahel States confederation. The region faces ongoing attacks from these extremist organizations. This marks the first time such large-scale demonstrations by the country's ten major trade unions have been called off for this reason. The decision follows heightened regional instability. The military-led nation is currently a target for Sahelian jihadist groups. Hundreds of vehicles were reportedly blocked near the Guinean border. Some buses managed to reach Bamako on Wednesday by bypassing main routes. Civil society organizations at a rally in support of Mali urged citizens to increase vigilance.

Construction has commenced on a 4,128 km gas pipeline connecting Nigeria to Niger and Algeria. The project aims to transport gas from Nigeria through the Sahara to Europe.

Former Wagner Group mercenaries have laid down their arms in Niger following an agreement with jihadist groups to ensure their safety in exchange for neutrality. The military leader, General Assimi Goïta, has not yet issued a statement regarding the development.

Nigerians are being encouraged to improve their capabilities in archiving and producing books. This initiative aims to leverage the country's strong oral tradition and enhance its literary output. The focus is on creating and producing written works to complement existing cultural practices.

Researchers have identified a proto-chimpanzee fossil located in Niger near the Mali border. The specimen dates to a period between 5.1 and 11.5 million years ago. Scientists are currently working to refine the specific age of the find. The discovery provides new data on the evolutionary timeline of chimpanzee ancestors. The fossil, named Tumaï, is estimated to be between 4.5 and 7 million years old and was found in a tropical environment in Chad.