This morning, 22 January, the President of the Republic of Niger, Mr. Issoufou Mahamadou, visited the city of Ouallam in Tillabéry Region, 100 km north of the country's capital Niamey. He addressed the Nigerien troops currently in stand-by in the area and waiting for further instructions regarding their future mission to Mali as part of the ECOWAS intervention force. Ouallam is close to Mangaize camp which is home to 4628 refugees from Mali.

During the visit, the Head of the District (Prefet) introduced the President to staff of UNHCR and the NGO Islamic Relief Agency. The President took this opportunity to thank UNHCR for its continuous efforts to protect and assist the Malian refugees.