Niger will spend nearly $2.5 billion to develop and secure its vast northern desert zones over the next five years, according to a new plan aimed at preventing the spillover of a conflict that has split neighboring Mali in two.

NIAMEY – Niger will spend nearly $2.5 billion to develop and secure its vast northern desert zones over the next five years, according to a new plan aimed at preventing the spillover of a conflict that has split neighboring Mali in two.
Uranium-producing Niger, perched on the Sahara's southern rim, is one of the world's poorest nations.
With a northern nomadic Tuareg population similar to the one that rebelled in Mali this year, it is seen as vulnerable to uprisings.
The money is due to be spent on strengthening law and enforcement and border controls in an area where government authority is weak and traffickers and gunmen operate.
Funds will also target improving basic social services and infrastructure in the six most northern regions, where underdevelopment has led to previous rebellions.
While Mali's north has since been over-run by rebels, Niger has so far contained any threat.
It has disarmed its returnees and ensured better representation in government for the Tuareg community, which has rebelled before over the lack of development and demands for a greater share of resource wealth.
The new plan, known as SDS/Sahel-Niger, will cost 1.266 trillion CFA francs, according to Prime Minister Brigi Raffini, himself a Tuareg, who launched the initiative late on Monday.
At least half of the program will be funded by the government in Niamey while the European Union has pledged a further 91.6 million euros, according to documents seen by Reuters. It was not immediately clear where the rest of the money would come from. – Reuters