Diffa
Diffa | |
|---|---|
Urban Commune | |
| Country |  Niger |
| Region | Diffa Region |
| Department | Diffa Department |
| Urban Commune | Diffa |
| Elevation | 938 ft (285 m) |
| Population (2001)[1] | |
| • Total | 48,005 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Diffa is a city and Urban Commune in the extreme southeast of Niger, near that country's border with Nigeria. It is the administrative seat of both Diffa Region, and the smaller Diffa Department. As of 2011, the commune had a total population of 48,005 people.[2]
Diffa marks the eastern end of the paved section of Route Nationale 1, the main east west highway across Niger, although the section between Zinder and Diffa is only partially paved in places. RN 1 continues north to N'guigmi more than 100 km. Maïné-Soroa, the other major town of the Region, lies less than 100 km to the west of Diffa. The border with Nigeria, at the Nigerian town of Duji, is 5.5 km to the south of Diffa. Diffa Airport lies to the north of the town.[3][4]
2002 Army Mutiny
In 2002, it was the center of the first military uprising in the country since President Tandja Mamadou instituted civilian rule and led to a crackdown by the government against the civilian press.[5][6][7]
References
- ^ Population figures from citypopulation.de, citing (2001) Institut National de la Statistique du Niger.
- ^ "Annuaires_Statistiques" (PDF). Institut National de la Statistique du Niger. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ^ Decalo, Samuel (1997). Historical Dictionary of the Niger (3rd ed.). Boston & Folkestone: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-3136-8.: p. 120
- ^ Geels, Jolijn (2006). Niger. Chalfont St Peter, Bucks / Guilford, CT: Bradt UK / Globe Pequot Press. ISBN 978-1-84162-152-4.: pp.227-231
- ^ NIGER: Army mutineers free civilian hostages. 2 August 2002 (IRIN)
- ^ Attacks on the Press 2002: Niger. Committee to Protect Journalists. 31 March 2003
- ^ Niger's Army Pursuing Mutinous Soldiers. Voice of America. 1 August 2002