Sidi Mamane is the Nomad Foundation representative in Niger. He is the elected councillor for the Ingall region which is the most important region of nomadic people. He is the director of Nomad Expeditions, the Niger arm of Nomad Adventures and a founding member and president of the Agadez Rotary Club.
During the Tuareg rebellion in Niger during the 90’s, Sidi was one of the youngest leaders, fighting for the preservation of his culture and the rights of his people. That rebellion is long over, but his battle for human rights continues in his devotion to better the lot of his people, the nomads of Niger. A new rebellion has brought new hardships to the nomadic people over the rights to royalties from uranium mining. Sidi eschewed violence this time working hard to negotiate a settlement.
A transformation has taken place in the attitude of the nomads. During droughts and famine, made worse by corruption they had watched helplessly as their way of life became more and more difficult to the point of extinction or waited for help that never came. Through the encouragement of Sidi and a little help from the Nomad foundation a new spirit is emerging. Nomads are beginning to believe that they can take control of their lives without being marginalized. That with hard work and some modifcations of their ancient way of life, they can survive. But they need a little help. Please help us give them a path to retain their proud traditions and thrive in the modern world.
