7-414: Diffa is a city and Urban Commune in the extreme southeast of Niger , near the border with Nigeria . It is the administrative seat of both Diffa Region , and the smaller Diffa Department . As of 2012, the commune had a total population of 56,437 people. In 2002, it was the centre of the first military uprising in the country since President Tandja Mamadou instituted civilian rule; the uprising led to
14-548: A government crackdown against the civilian press. In recent years, refugees from Nigeria fleeing violence from Boko Haram have settled in Diffa and surrounding area. Diffa is situated on the north bank of the Komadougou Yobe river; the river's seasonal floodplain lies immediately to the south and east. Much of the riverbank is lined with gardens and small allotments which grow the town's well-known red peppers. The town
21-576: Is bisected in an arc by the Route Nationale 1 road; the eastern part of town is centred on the Grand Marché , which also acts as the transport hub for the city. Diffa has a hot climate with a wet and dry season. On 7 September 1978, Diffa recorded a temperature of 49.5 °C (121.1 °F), which is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in Niger. A traditional wrestling arena
28-566: Is located to the northeast of the Grand Marché . Diffa Stadium can be found west of the RN1. The town contains several mosques, most notably the Grande Mosquée de Diffa on the RN1. Diffa marks the eastern end of the paved section of Route Nationale 1, the main east-west highway across Niger, although the section between Zinder and Diffa is only partially paved in places. RN1 continues north to N'guigmi more than 100 km. Maïné-Soroa ,
35-475: The Decentralisation process , was carried out through a series of laws from 1998 - 2005. Most important are: While often translated as "town", Nigerien communes are simply the third level administrative subdivision of the nation. These can be classified Urban or Rural communes, and while often identical in territory to the administrative unit of a town or city, all areas of the country fall within
42-555: The other major town of the Region, lies less than 100 km to the west of Diffa. The border with Nigeria , at the Nigerian town of Duji , is 5.5 km to the south of Diffa. Diffa Airport lies to the north of the town. 13°18′53″N 12°37′4″E / 13.31472°N 12.61778°E / 13.31472; 12.61778 Communes of Niger The Departments of Niger are subdivided into communes. As of 2005, in
49-840: The seven Regions and one Capital Area, there were 36 départements , divided into 265 communes , 122 cantons and 81 groupements . The latter two categories cover all areas not covered by Urban Communes (population over 10000) or Rural Communes (population under 10000), and are governed by the Department, whereas Communes have (since 1999) elected councils and mayors. Additional semi-autonomous sub-divisions include Sultanates , Provinces and Tribes ( tribus ). The Nigerien government estimates there are an additional 17000 Villages administered by Rural Communes , while there are over 100 Quartiers ( boroughs or neighborhoods) administered by Urban Communes . The territorial reorganisation of Niger's local administration, known informally as
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