Niger: Nationwide teacher strike May 25-31

Event

Teachers belonging to the Cause Niger and Synaceb unions are holding a nationwide strike from May 25 to May 31. Teachers are also planning to stage a sit-in protest outside the Ministry of Finance, located on Avenue des Ministères in the capital Niamey, on May 30. Increased security measures and traffic disruptions are likely in the vicinity of the sit-in.

Context

A series of demonstrations by teachers and students to demand better living and working conditions have taken place since the beginning of the year, some of which have turned violent.
Teachers are demanding the implementation of the December 13, 2016, agreement, which promised the payment of salary arrears, the recruitment of teachers on temporary contracts without exams, and the reinstatement of all teachers reassigned or fired due to participation in previous strikes.

This current strike follows failed discussions between the government and the unions in recent weeks.

Advice

Individuals in Niger are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to avoid all public gatherings as violence may flare up without warning.

On a separate note, many Western governments advise their citizens against travel to areas in the north and west of the country, as well as zones along the Nigerian border, due to a high risk of terrorist activity. Visitors throughout the country should be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (government installations, prominent hotels, etc.) and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.