Authorities in Niger have detained a local journalist they say is linked to Tuareg rebels in the northern part of the country.

Moussa Kaka, a reporter for Radio France International, has been held since Thursday. He is accused of what authorities call "conniving" with the rebel Niger Movement for Justice.

The rebel group has captured about 40 soldiers during raids in northern Niger this year. Another 40 government troops have been killed in rebel attacks.

Tuareg rebels have been demanding a larger share of royalties from uranium mining in the northeast. The government dismisses the rebels as bandits and drug traffickers.

Niger temporarily suspended local Radio France FM broadcasts in July, claiming their reports were biased toward the rebels.

Radio France confirmed Kaka's detention on its Web site. It did not comment on the charges against him.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.