Slavery doesn't exist in Niger...

...so slaves don't need to be freed:

The government of Niger has cancelled at the last minute a special ceremony during which at least 7,000 slaves were to be granted their freedom.

A spokesman for the government's human rights commission, which had helped to organise the event, said this was because slavery did not exist.

It is not clear why the government, which was also a co-sponsor of the ceremony, changed its position.

At least 43,000 people across Niger are thought to be in slavery.

Acting under pressure, Niger's parliament banned the keeping or trading in slaves in May 2003.

I blame Dubya. For the slavery, not the cancellation. Well, that too. Or maybe John Ashcroft. Somehow this has to be our fault, even tho slavery is described as "traditional" in Niger. Ah, yeah, that's the ticket: Slavery is a traditional family value...in Niger. Somebody tell John Dean so he can make it an issue against Condi Rice when she runs for president.

Click here: BBC NEWS Africa Niger cancels 'free-slave' event

Thanks to PowerLine via InstaPundit.