Nairobi/Niamey - One person has died and dozens have been injured after mines being being handed to the Niger government by Tuareg rebels exploded, reports said Monday. The BBC reported that a man accidentally stood on a mine during the handover ceremony Sunday, setting off other mines.
The governor of the region where the mines were being handed over was among the injured.
The Tuareg-led Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) took up arms to demand autonomy and a share of the profits from uranium mining in the north of the country.
MNJ chief Aghaly ag Alambo last week denied reports the group was planning to end its struggle.
