Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about
4,000 French expatriates

Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians

Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 13.6%
male: 20.9%
female: 6.6%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Niger
conventional short form: Niger
local long form: Republique du Niger
local short form: Niger

Data code: NG

Type of government: republic

Capital: Niamey

Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular -
departement), and 1 capital district* (capitale district); Agadez,
Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder

Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)

Constitution: the constitution of January 1993 was revised by
national referendum on 12 May 1996

Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Colonel Ibrahim BARE Mainassara (since 28
January 1996 when he ousted President Mahamane OUSMANE in a coup);
Mahamane OUSMANE had been elected for a five-year term by universal
suffrage; election last held 17 March 1993 (next to be held 7 July
1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Boukary ADJI (since NA January
1996) appointed by President BARE
cabinet: National Salvation Council was appointed by President BARE

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elected by proportional representation for a
five-year term; election last held 12 January 1995 (next to be held
NA September 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(83 total) MNSD-NASSARA 29, CDS 24, PNDS 12, ANDP-Z 9, UDFP 3, UDPS
2, PADN 2, PPN-RDA 1, UPDP 1; note - this National Assembly
dissolved by President BARE after the coup on 28 January 1996

Judicial branch: State Court (Cour d'Etat); Court of Appeal (Cour
d'Apel)

Political parties and leaders: National Movement of the
Development Society (MNSD-NASSARA), Mamadou TANDJA, chairman;
Democratic and Social Convention (CDS), Jacoub SANOUSSI; Nigerien
Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), Mahamadou ISSOUFOU;
Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zamanlahia (ANDP-Z),
Moum