Slavery in Niger (?)

From the BBC:

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.

Oh. Should someone tell the person who originally organized the ceremony (or the 7,000 non-slaves they apparently invited)?

Hat tip: Powerline