Concord Day (Niger)

National Day of Concorde Journée nationale de la Concorde Fête nationale de la Concorde
Observed by	Niger
Type	National
Date	24 April
Celebrations	Festivals, Political addresses, Educational and Cultural exchanges

National Day of Concorde ((French)Journée nationale de la Concorde, Fête nationale de la Concorde) is a national holiday in Niger, celebrated every 24 April since 1995.

History

Concord Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the 24 April 1995 Peace Accord between the Government of Niger and the Organisation of Armed Resistance (Organization de Resistance Armee, ORA) at the Congressional Palace in Niamey (Palais des Congrès de à Niamey).^[1] While this accord was only signed by some armed groups, and sporatic fighting continued until 1999, this marked the beginning of the end of the 1990 rebellion in the north and east of the country carried out by elements of Tuareg, Toubou, and other communities. The final peace agreement was celebrated with a "Flame of Peace" in which weapons were burned in Agadez on 25 September 2000. This date is also commemorated each year in some communities.^[2]

Celebrations

The Concorde Festival also celebrates of the 2009 agreement to end a renewed Tuareg based insurgency,^[3] as well as cross cultural tolerance, peace, and social justice, in this diverse nation.^[4]

Niger's National Day of Concorde is celebrated with street parties, educational and cultural events,^[5] speeches by the President of Niger and other leaders,^[6] and events designed to instill in youth love of nation and cross cultural peace.^[7] The National Day of Concorde is a Public Holiday in Niger, in which businesses and government offices close.^[8][9]

See also

• Tuareg Rebellion (1990–1995)
• Tuareg Rebellion (2007–2009)
• Public holidays in Niger

References

1. ^ 24 avril, Fête nationale de la Concorde : historique des Accords de paix entre le gouvernement et les ex-fronts armés. Tchirgni Maïmouna, Le Sahel (Niamey), 2010-04-23.
2. ^ Mission d’évaluation finale, Avril 2003, Projet de Consolidation de la Paix dans la région de Diffa (Niger), UNDP, OECD, Republic of Niger (April 2003).
3. ^ Tandja tend la main, Alambo pose des conditions. Albert Chaïbou, Alternative Espaces Citoyens Niger, 2008-05-08
4. ^ "Through the commemoration of this day, the authorities ask the sons and daughters of our country to internalize a culture of tolerance, forgiveness, peace, reconciliation and national cohesion" Sahel du mercredi 23 April 2003, cited in UNDP, OECD, Republic of Niger (April 2003), p.11.
5. ^ Soirée de la concorde à la place Toumo de Niamey : la paix et la réconciliation nationale en chantant. Seini Seydou Zakaria, Le Sahel (Niamey), 2011-04-27.
6. ^ Message à la Nation du Président de la République à l'occasion de la journée nationale de la concorde ce 24 avril 2011. Mahamadou Issoufou, Le Sahel, 2011-04-24. (Niamey),
7. ^ Célébration de la Journée nationale de la concorde : les garçons et les filles de café au cœur de l'évènement. M. S. Abandé Moctar, Le Sahel (Niamey), 2009-04-28
8. ^ NIGER - JOURS FÉRIÉS / PUBLIC HOLIDAYS . SERVICE DE L’INFORMATION AÉRONAUTIQUE - A S E C N A (Niamey), 2005-01-19.
9. ^ Jean-Paul Labourdette, Dominique Auzias. Niger 2009. Petit Futé: Paris (2008) ISBN 9782746916401 p.208.