International pressure mounts on Niger

  1. Posted on Friday 3 July 2009 - 10:45
    Murtala
    Image of Murtala
    Murtala Mohammed Kamara, AfricaNews reporter in Freetown, Sierra Leone
    Niger President Mamadou Tandja has come under intense pressure by world leaders, government and regional bodies after he dissolved Parliament and assumed "emergency powers". Tandja faced stiff resistance by the international community in his bid to stay in power at "all cost."
    Niger map
    Niger which has one of the world’s largest uranium deposit is among one of the world poorest nations with over 80% of its population living below $1 a day while a huge percentage of its national budget depend heavily on donor funding.

    The European Union – the main source of funding for West African States - warned of aid cuts if Tanja failed to respect the Constitution. Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid warned: "Any changes to the constitution, notably its fundamental articles, should not be made in the absence of consensual and inclusive dialogue."

    Michel said recent actions "could have direct consequences on our cooperation".

    According to the UN humanitarian news agency – IRIN - Niger has benefited almost US$700 million in development funds in the first of Tandja’s two terms especially in the educational, security, health and infrastructure sectors.

    US President Barack Obama said through his White House Spokesman in a statement that the US is concerned about Tandja’s decision "to rule by ordinance and decree and to dissolve the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court as part of a bid to retain power beyond his constitutionally-limited mandate."

    Robert Gibbs said his country is hearten that the African Union (AU) has sent a delegation to Niger to resolve the crisis and will engage with partners in the region and monitor that country closely.

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which Niger is part of has threatened to sanction that country while the United Nations (UN), The Canadians, French have all warned Tanja to respect the constitution or face their wrath.

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