Niger: Tension mounts days before referendum

  1. Posted on Sunday 2 August 2009 - 14:24
    KingsleyKobo
    Image of KingsleyKobo
    Kinsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
    Days before Niger's critical referendum, the opposition coalition has blasted President Mamadou Tandja for wanting to remain in power in order to protect the financial interests of his collaborators, most of whom are involved in the country's uranium business.
    vote
    The government immediately responded by issuing an international arrest warrant against former prime minister, Hama Amadou, who is presently the regime's fiercest adversary, according to AFP

    Amadou had earlier been accused of embezzling public fund and was arrested in 2008, but was released in May 2009. Some independent analysts in Niger say his detention was purely political, since he was becoming a challenging figure to the president.

    Amadou now lives abroad and has been calling on Nigeriens in the Diaspora to vote “No” in the August 4 referendum, which would give Tandja limitless terms in office if “Yes” wins.

    Actual Prime Minister Seini Oumarou told journalists in Niamey Friday that his government was prepared to squash any agitation during and after the referendum. He warned all “potential troublemakers” to “back off or would face the music.”

    According to eyewitnesses in several towns across the West African nation, tension is high as days count down to August 4. More police have been deployed to strategic areas, and army vehicles are seen patrolling incessantly.

    Tandja has ruled the uranium-rich nation since 1999. His second and final term ends later this year. The constitution allows only two terms – five years each. But Tandja is manoeuvring to change the constitution through the proposed referendum to provide for himself limitless terms.

    After scrapping Parliament and the Supreme Court, he now governs the country with decrees and ordinances. Opposition parties have relentlessly protested to stop what they have dubbed “Constitutional Coup d’Etat”, but in vain.

    The international community has expressed its concern about the holding of such referendum, which it said could have grave consequences on democracy in that country.

    As a sign of warning to the Nigerien government, the European Union has suspended a scheduled budgetary aid.

    Tandja’s supporters say he brought economic growth to the country and therefore deserves more terms to realize some other projects of his.

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