French NGO Seeking Talks on Suspended Niger Operations

French NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said Saturday it was lobbying government officials in Niger to allow it to continue its aid work, after it was ordered to suspend activities there.

"MSF wishes to continue to work in agreement with the authorities of Niger in order to continue its medical activities there," said Marie-Pierre Allie, president of the French section of MSF.

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"We are seeking a meeting with the presidency of Niger as well as with ministries to try to rectify this situation," she added.

The non-governmental organisation said it was informed on July 22 that the interior minister had suspended its work in Niger, without giving a reason.

Local radio said the decision was motivated by "suspicions of connections between certain officials from MSF-France with the Tuareg rebellion," fighting for a share in Niger's uranium wealth among other demands.

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MSF said that since the beginning of the year, it had treated more than 14,000 acutely malnourished children in Niger, and was currently treating more than 3,400 children, including 233 hospitalised in nutritional centres.

Source-AFP
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