Two days of public broadcasts with RFI in Niamey

The next presidential election in Niger in 2021 was at the centre of the first day's debates.
The guests present on the set - Zakaria Abdourahamane, Minister Spokesperson for the Government, Dr Amadou Boubacar Hassane, Constitutionalist Lawyer, Research Professor at the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences of the University, Abdou Moumouni of Niamey, Coordinator of the Nigerian Association of Constitutionalists [Association nigérienne des constitutionnalistes (ANC)], Koroney Massani, Nigerian Patriotic Movement MP, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, Omar Tchiana, from the Amen Amin party (Alliance for the Emergence of Niger) and also Habi Mahamadou Salissou, Minister of Communication - raised the issue of term limits, the electoral climate and the practical organisation of future elections in a more unstable environment. They were also questioned by listeners eager for information on the upcoming election, which is generating very keen interest.

"For the first time in Niger's history, for the first time since independence, an outgoing president will hand over power to an elected successor," the broadcast reported.

A debate without any waffle

The next day, Alain Foka and Juan Gomez, presenters of African Debate and News Calls, respectively, took stock of the situation in Niger, with their guests and listeners. Economy, development, democracy, education, employment, future prospects for young people, purchasing power and the fight against terrorism were the themes discussed. This gave around ten young Nigeriens the opportunity to grab the microphone and ask questions on subjects at the heart of their concerns, such as solutions to fight insecurity in Niger, employment prospects and entrepreneurship.

A "no waffle" debate, "balanced" platforms, "young people given the floor", "useful information to remember for our future and our development", "programmes to be remade", these are some of the phrases heard from young people who participated in the two days of debates.

The RFI team ended its stay with a half-day of experience sharing with around fifteen young Nigerien journalists. This master class was led by Claire Hédon, Alain Foka, Juan Gomez, Jessica Taieb and Dephonie Michaud.

These remote programmes were organised as part of a collaboration between CFI and RFI, as part of the MediaSahelproject. This collaboration also gave rise to the magazine programme So, what do you think [Alors on dit quoi]?, broadcast in Mandingo and Fula by RFI.

The broadcasts recorded in Niamey

➢ News Calls on 22/10: http://www.rfi.fr/emission/20191022-niger-election-presidentielle-2021-partie1 + http://www.rfi.fr/emission/20191023-vos-reactions-etat-lieux-situation-niger

➢ News Calls on 23/10: http://www.rfi.fr/emission/20191023-appels-actualite + http://www.rfi.fr/emission/20191023-vos-reactions-etat-lieux-situation-niger

➢ African Debate on 22/10: http://www.rfi.fr/emission/20191027-limitation-mandats-climat-electoral-niger