Governor Assoumane Abdul Haruna announces reunification and reintegration operation

Brigadier General Assoumane Abdou Harouna, Governor of the Niamey RegionOn August 12, 2024, the Regional Governor of Niamey, Brigadier General Assoumane Abdou Haruna, took a firm and decisive stance in the face of the worrying phenomenon of begging in the capital. In a speech full of patriotism and determination, he announced bold measures to eliminate this phenomenon and promote the dignity and hard work of citizens.

“Given the alarming scale of begging in our region, we have decided to take firm action,” the Governor announced. From now on, an operation will be carried out to regroup and redirect beggars to their villages of origin. The task of the gendarmes and police units deployed on the main roads is to ensure that these people do not return to Niamey after leaving.”

General Assoumane Abdou Haruna stressed that begging is often seen as an act of comfort seeking, which is in stark contrast to the efforts of most Nigeriens who are determined to work in various sectors to earn a living with dignity. “While our compatriots have been working in the fields for a month, these beggars spend their time with their hands outstretched, often risking their safety on the roads,” he said.

The planned measures provide not only for the regrouping and transportation of these people to their villages, but also for their provision of food before returning to their respective villages. The authorities will ensure that each beggar is transported as close to his or her place of origin as possible. Furthermore, once regrouped in the villages, those who attempt to return to Niamey will be assigned to work of general interest, particularly in the main irrigation areas from Kandaji to Gaya. If necessary, measures will be taken to send them to Diffa for compulsory labor to ensure that they do not continue to beg.

“It is not forced labour, but compulsory labour until they choose to return to their villages permanently,” the governor insisted, expressing hope that the practice would encourage every Nigerien to see work as a means of dignity and self-sufficiency rather than a practice of begging.

Brigadier General Assoumane Abdou Harouna, the regional governor of Niamey, reiterated his commitment to ending begging and promoting a lifestyle based on honest work and respect for human dignity. “From today, we will do everything we can to eliminate this degrading practice and encourage every citizen to earn a living through his or her own efforts,” he firmly declared.

The move marks an important step in the fight against begging and demonstrates the Nigerien authorities’ desire to build a fairer society that better respects the dignity of every individual.

Boubacar Guédé (Nigerien expatriate)