NIGER: Agadez residents express mixed feelings over Saadi Gaddafi's presence in Niger

Record ID: 234050

  • Title: NIGER: Agadez residents express mixed feelings over Saadi Gaddafi's presence in Niger
  • Date: 14th September 2011
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (French) ABDOURAHMANE BIANOU, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, SAYING: "He should feel at home in Niger. We open the door widely to him in Niger. Niger is not like France, or Italy it's Niger. It's ours. He can come and live peacefully in Niger as he likes. Like our (Nigerien) brothers who go live peacefully." STREET SCENES, WOMEN TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Haussa) ABBA KELLE DI
  • Embargoed: 29th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Niger, Niger
  • Country: Niger
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADTOO0NYLERCO8S0GSI1ZPYIZ7
  • Story Text: The town of Agadez in northern Niger is awash with rumours that one of Gaddafi's sons, Saadi, is sheltering in its midst, and residents on Tuesday (September 13) say they will welcome him with open arms, despite security concerns.
    The Nigerien government confirmed on Sunday (September 11) that he had crossed the southern Sahara desert frontier between Libya and Niger.
    On Monday the U.S. State Department said Niger's government had confirmed to it that it would detain Saadi Gaddafi.
    But a Nigerien government spokesman said Saadi was only being watched for now.
    As there is no international search warrant for him, he said Saadi was just "under surveillance," like with the other high ranking Libyan officials who had sought refuge in the neighbouring country.
    Most ordinary people in Agadez say they are happy to receive him with open arms.
    "He should feel at home in Niger. We open the door widely to him in Niger. Niger is not like France, or Italy it's Niger. It's ours. He can come and live peacefully in Niger as he likes. Like our (Nigerien) brothers who go live peacefully," said Abdourahmane Bianou, a graphic designer from Agadez.
    Saadi, as well as the rest of the Libyan officials received by Niger on "humanitarian grounds" are being housed at secret locations. Niamey and Agadez are awash with contradictory rumours about their whereabouts.
    "I learnt that Saadi Gaddafi is here. People have told me and I've also heard it on the radio that Saadi is in Agadez," said Abba Kelle Dizi, a tourist guide from Agadez.
    Two other sons and Gaddafi's only biological daughter have made their way out to Algeria. One son is reported to have died in the war and three others are still on the run.
    The NTC has said it will send a delegation to Niger to seek the return of anyone wanted for crimes under Gaddafi's rule.
    "I think that Libyans shouldn't come here. There's a risk they may bring in weapons and create problems which will make people run away and Niger is a country that loves freedom," said Mohamed Jalil, a Libyan building engineer who works in Agadez.
    Niger, like Algeria, has cited humanitarian reasons for accepting fugitives of the former government, but has promised to respect its commitments to the International Criminal Court, which wants to try Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi for war crimes.
    "Concerning Gaddafi and his son Saif el Islam who are sought after, if they come here, our government is free to hand them over to international justice courts or not," Dizi said, reflecting the view of many Nigeriens who believe respecting the Islamic rule of helping a brothers in need, is equally if not more important than international accords.
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