tuareg

TAZERZEIT, AIR MOUNTAINS, NORTHERN NIGER, APRIL 2009: Images of M.N.J, The Movement for Justice in Niger, a Tuareg led rebellion against the Niger government for reasons of perceived discrimination, social injustice and natural resource ownership, 5 April 2009. The rebels are depicted standing on the grounds of a former school establised for Tuareg Nomad children. It sits on the North-eastern front of the Air mountain range near the rebel main base at Mt Tamgak. The school was attacked by the Niger Army in their search for rebels in August 2007, the teacher was threatened in front of the childten and three elderly men were reportedly executed by a Niger Army captain. Shortly afterwards the rebel counter attack secured 30 odd Niger Army hostages, one of whom still remains in Rebel hands. In retaliation the Niger army attacked the school in July 2008 by attack helicopter and killed 17 MNJ rebels. The children at the school have since been moved to a safer location near Arlit Niger. (Photo by Brent Stirton/National Geographic.)