"I am a slave," proclaims Amalouz sadly. In May 2003, after years of international pressure, the government of Niger finally outlawed slavery. But according to Weila Ilgulas, leader of the anti-slavery group Timidria, "more than 870,000 people" are still enslaved today. He claims the government is using the abolition as a premise for arguing that the problem no longer exists. But a trip to the North reveals a different story. Dark skinned members of certain tribes continue to work unpaid for their light skinned masters. "I cannot prevent my daughter from being a slave," confides Hilethay. "Somebody who works like me cannot claim to be equal to their master." Although many slaves have heard about the law granting them emancipation, they have no means of escaping. But there is hope. Slaves have a potent ally in Prince Moustapha, son of a powerful chief. He's freed all his slaves and is challenging the government: "Each Nigerien must stand up and recognise that slavery has to end ... One slave is one too many."