Lété Island
Native name: Île de Lété | |
|---|---|
Lété Island (middle) in the Niger River | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Niger River |
| Coordinates | 12°8′N 3°10′E / 12.133°N 3.167°E |
| Length | 16 km (9.9 mi) |
| Width | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Region | Dosso |
Lété Island (French: Île de Lété) is the largest island in the Niger River, at a length of approximately 16 kilometres and a width of 4 kilometres. Together with other smaller islands in the Niger River, it was the main focus of a border dispute between Niger and Benin, which began when the two countries were still under French rule. The island was historically used by semi-nomadic Fula cattle herders as a dry season pasturage, but farmers began permanently settling on the island after the resolution of the border dispute in 2005.
Geography
Lété Island is approximately 16 kilometres long and 4 kilometres wide, making it the largest island in the Niger River. The river surrounds the island on two sides, with the smaller branch to the north and the larger one to the south. Groundwater fluctuations during the wet season regularly cause the Niger River to overflow and flood the island, which previously kept human activity off the island.[1]: 696
History
France used the Niger River to demarcate the border between its colonies of Niger and Benin, then constituent parts of French West Africa. However, this led to post-independence tensions between the two as both claimed Lété Island, which lied in the middle of the river. Niger and Benin almost went to war over the island in 1963 amid deteriorating relations, but they ultimately chose to find a diplomatic solution following mediation by neighbouring countries. In the early 1990s, a joint delimitation commission was tasked with solving the issue but could not reach an agreement.[1]: 696 After decades without a resolution, the two countries chose in 2001 to have the International Court of Justice rule conclusively on the matter. The court ruled in Niger's favour in 2005.[2][3]
Historically, semi-nomadic Fula herders brought their cattle to the island to pasture.[4] However, following the resolution of the border dispute, Nigeriens began permanently settling and starting farms on Lété Island. Because of the island's frequent flooding, residents have adapted by primarily growing rice with modern technology and techniques.[1]: 696
See also
References
- ^ a b c Walther, Olivier (28 July 2015). "Benin-Niger: The Niger-Mekrou Rivers and the Lété Island". In Brunet-Jailly, Emmanuel (ed.). Border Disputes: A Global Encyclopedia [3 volumes]. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 694–704. ISBN 979-8-216-05544-0. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Spadi, Fabio (2005). "The ICJ Judgment in the Benin-Niger Border Dispute: the interplay of titles and 'effectivités' under the uti possidetis juris principle". Leiden Journal of International Law (18): 777–794. Archived from the original on 29 September 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2006.
- ^ "De la loi autorisant ratification de la loi no. 2001-25 du 9 novembre 2002, relative au compromis de saisine de la Cour Internationale de Justice" [From the law authorizing ratification of law no. 2001-25 of November 9, 2002, relating to the compromise of referral to the International Court of Justice] (PDF). La Revue Législative. No. 1. National Assembly of Niger. February 2003. pp. 22–24. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Decalo, Samuel (1997). Historical Dictionary of the Niger (3rd ed.). Boston & Folkestone: Scarecrow Press. p. 37. ISBN 0-8108-3136-8.