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A Niger Army Lieutenant being held hostage by the M.N.J - "The Movement for Justice in Niger," a Tuareg-led rebel movement against the Niger government for reasons of perceived discrimination and social injustice against the Tuareg in Niger, 5 April 2009. The rebels are depicted standing on the grounds of a former school establised for Tuareg Nomad children. It sits on the North-eastern front of the Air mountain range near the rebel main base high on Mt Tamgak. The school was attacked by the Niger Army in their search for rebels in August 2007, three elderly men were also executed by a Niger Army Lieutenant, allegedly the man being held hostage in this picture. He was captured when the Tuareg rebels counter attacked and secured 31 Niger Army hostages. The Lieutenant was recently released after two years living as a prisoner of the Tuareg rebels. An amnesty was signed with the rebel leaders and the Niger Government with little being gained by the Rebels despite their 3 year prolonged campaign for Tuareg rights in mining lands.