Kelakam is a town in the Diffa Region, Maine-Soroa Department of southeastern Niger.
Kelakam Kélakam | |
|---|---|
  Kelakam | |
| Coordinates: 13°33′22″N 11°44′27″E / 13.55611°N 11.74083°E | |
| Country |  Niger |
| Region | Diffa |
| Department | Maïné-Soroa |
Location
It lies on the RN1 east–west highway of which runs between Diffa and Niamey, about halfway between the larger towns of Goudoumaria to the west and Maine-Soroa to the southeast. The town lies around 150 km west-northwest from the regional capital of Diffa.
Agro-pastoral centre
Situated in the Sahel region, the area around Kelakam is used for stock raising (cattle, goats, camels)[1] much of which involves seasonal transhumance, and intensive farming of cuvettes—rocky sinkholes which collect water in an otherwise dry land. Kelakam hosts a Saturday market.[2]
Kelakam is one site of ethnic Fula[3] pastoralist cooperatives formed as part of the UNDP "Nguigmi Peace Project". The project is designed to re-integrate former refugees and combatants from long simmering ethnic conflicts between Fula herders, and their Diffa Arab and Daza/Tubu neighbours over pasturage, water, and other land use. Fula pastoralists based around the town raise sheep and goats, and produce cheese and other agricultural products.[4]