The latest kidnapping (January 7) and murder (January 8) in Niger in the hands of terrorists Aqmi (Alain Juppe, the French Minister of Defence has absolutely sure that these are the followers of Al Qaeda) is a real blow to the heart. By surprise and makes doubly frightened because the two victims, the French Antoine de Léocur Vincent and Delory not traveling on remote tracks of the Sahara, in areas at risk, or working for Areva, a multinational uranium, the "enemy" as the five French hostages with Togo and Madagascar on 16 September to Arlit, a mining town 1,200 km from the capital.Next Saturday, January 15, Antoine de Léocur, French Linsell (Lille) and Rakia Hassan Kouka, Niger, they should get married in Niamey. Antoine, 25, had worked until last March as co-operating in Niger for the German NGO Help, six months, he was project manager Aide Médicale Internationale Central African Republic.
He was back in Niamey for the wedding with Rakia, known in July 2008: a classic love at first sight, according to friends. A dear friend of Antoine - known from kindergarten - Vincent Delory, a computer engineer, had arrived a few hours in the capital of Niger. It was to be the best man for the bridegroom.
On the evening of Friday, January 7 are the two twenty-five to dinner at Le Toulousain, in the central Plateau. Are not the only expat: the low tables of the popular local is the head of Oxfam in Niger, British NGO, we are cooperating in Spain. I've never been to Le Toulousain, Niamey and I do not know but it is difficult to imagine sounds, colors, cold beer, skewers of capitaine, the best fish of the Niger - the river that runs through the city.
Niamey has grown in recent years. However, he kept the atmosphere calm and slow, a large village, there is the chaotic traffic in Bamako or Dakar. The city, in the electoral environment in the coming municipal and presidential elections (8 and 31 January), is quiet: the French military have celebrated New Year with their families Gaweye hotel, a few police patrol the streets.
A happy evening for the two young Frenchmen, many things to talk about, other friends have to reach for this wedding on African soil. Then a movie that has nothing to do with their lives. The kidnapping, escape into the night to the border with Mali. French helicopters into action, the Elisha wants to prevent that these abductees are swallowed by the sands of the ADR des Ifoghas, shelter Aqmi.
Death. This morning, January 12, the bodies of Antoine and Vincent were returned to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. I had planned to return to Niamey in late January. With some friends we support a small town in the Sahel, Abalak, north of Niamey. I've been there the last time in March 2009, now the area is at risk, so we would meet with the leaders and NGO Niger Pdr with the people in the capital city.
Who until last Friday was considered green for Western embassies. From 9 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces the voice Niger "are advised against travel in any capacity in the country, including transit." (In the photo, a woman signs the "book of condiglianze" in the wake of Antoine De Leocour and Vicent Delory in France)
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