Council for a Community of Democracies

Niger President’s Latest Unconstitutional Power Grab
October 20, 2009
By: Randi Zung

On October 20, in Niger’s capital city of Naimey, President Mamadou Tandja proceeded with a parliamentary vote despite resistance from the local and international community. Tandja, who has ruled the country since 1999, has come under heavy criticism for engaging in many unconstitutional power grabs. His latest attempt to assume more control over the state was through a legislative election. The Voice of America reports the controversial election was held to replace 113 legislators that Tandja dismissed from parliament. The original members of parliament were removed after they ruled against the passage of an August 4 referendum that allowed Tandja to extend his political appointment. Opponents of the Tandja government assert that the newly elected parliament will be composed of officials that are in league with Tandja’s corrupt practices, further solidifying his control over the country. Tandja’s original term was slated to end on December 22, after serving for two consecutive five year long terms.

International critics state that Niger has been in political turmoil since August, when Tandja extended his second term by holding a referendum. According to an article by Reuters, the referendum was denounced by the international community because it allowed Tandja to retain his political seat for 3 more years without facing another election, it eliminated term limits, and it removed checks that were in place to limit his power. In an effort to maintain his power grab, Tandja also abolished the country’s constitutional court after it tried to declare the referendum illegal. Tandja then replaced the members with his own appointees.

The Voice of America reports that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), consisting of 15 West African nations to promote their continued economic integration, has suspended Niger for not postponing the controversial legislative vote. ECOWAS originally asked Tandja to suspend the vote in order to open a political dialogue about the crisis the August 4 referendum sparked. Additionally, ECOWAS hopes that the African Union, the European Union, and the United Nations will engage this issue. In an interview on BBC, ECOWAS political director, Abdel Fatau Musa, warned that Niger could be left in political isolation if Tandja continues to practice bad governance and distance his country from democracy. In the same article, Alat Mogaskiya, one of the founders of Niger's Party for Democracy and Socialism, stated that all democrats should ignore Tandja’s government because its actions are based on corrupt and illegal practices.

Sources:
Voice of America - ECOWAS Suspends Niger in Dispute Over Constitution
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-20-voa19.cfm

Reuters - Niger parliament vote to harden Tandja's power
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE59I0D120091019

BBC News - Africa trade bloc suspends Niger
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8316866.stm