Democracy News

Coup Leaders Appoint Transitional Government
March 3, 2010
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

On February 25, Voice of America reported that coup officials appointed Mahamadou Danda as the country’s new prime minister.  Danda, who previously held the office of communications minister under Tandja, stated that he is working with the transitional government to organize new elections.  Before holding the office of communications minister, Danda was president of the Independent National Electoral Commission in 1996 and became a justice minister in 1999.

On March 2, an article by AFP announced that the new transitional government had been selected.  The new twenty member cabinet includes five senior army officers – three of which were top generals under Tandja.  According to the article, the other members of the cabinet are civilian appointees without previous political affiliations.  In addition, AFP also states that Djibo announced that no one from CSRD or the government would be allowed to take part in the new elections.

Following the ouster of former President Mamadou Tandja in a military coup, acting military leader, Major Salou Djibo, pledged to return Niger to a legitimate democracy.  Djibo, who is head of the Supreme Council for Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), stated: “The Council commits itself to restoring the constitutional order.”  The military leaders did not specify a date for the establishment of democracy.
Tandja was removed from office for trying to alter the country’s constitution after a decade in power.  Following his removal, the constitution was suspended and his cabinet was dissolved.  Tandja and six of his government ministers are currently detained under house arrest.

Sources:

Voice of America - Niger PM Working with Military Leaders on New Elections

BBC News - Niger coup leaders name transitional government

AFP - Mixed reactions meet Niger's transition government

Also See: http://www.ccd21.org/news/africa/niger_military_coup.html