Soldiers in control of Niger one day after coup

Africa's constitutional flip-flops Changing the constitution to remain in power

Niger’s military coup leaders were in control of the country on Friday after dissolving the government on Thursday and toppling President Mamadou Tandja in the uranium-rich central African country.

A military group called the “Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy” (CSRD) announced that its head would be Squadron Leader Salou Djibo, whose unit played a key role in Thursday's coup.

"The government is dissolved," said a statement read by an unnamed military officer on state television. "The CSRD informs the population that public business will be run by secretaries of ministries and local government administrators."

The new ruling junta announced on Friday that it will re-open the borders and lift the curfew. Tandja is currently being held by the junta and is “doing very well”, according to an AFP source. The city returned to calm on Friday, with soldiers deployed across the city.

‘Tandja didn’t want to let go of power’

FRANCE 24 Observer Alessandro Sinclair, in the capital, Niamey, said, “It’s calmer than yesterday, the soldiers have blocked the presidential palace, the airport and other key places, but there haven’t been any other battles.

“For the people of Niger, life continues as before. Everything is open – markets, boutiques, gas stations – and the people have left for work this morning like always. Only the expats have stayed at home – UN offices are closed.”

Niger Timeline August 3, 1960 Niger wins full independence from France, its colonial master. 1974 President Hamani Diori is overthrown by a military junta, led by Col. Kountché. 1987-1993 After Kountché’s death in 1987, Col. Ali Saibou takes over until the election of Mahamane Ousmane in 1993. 1996 Colonel Ibrahim Baré Mainassara overthrows Ousmane and installs a military authority. 1999 Mainassara is killed in a coup led by Major Wanké. Elections are held a few months later, with Mamadou Tandja winning in a process judged as mostly free and fair. Dec. 2004 Tandja is re-elected for a five-year term, in what is supposed to be his final presidential term under the existing constitution. May 2009 Seeking a third term in power, President Tandja dissolves parliament in order to hold a referendum and change the constitution. Feb. 2010 The presidential palace is attacked by military units. Tandja is taken into detention, and a group of military coup leaders calling themselves the “Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy” (CSRD) dissolves the government.

Independent journalist Boubacar Diallo, also in the capital, told FRANCE 24: “The people are happy because they (the junta) have ended a useless debate that has been slowing down Niger for nine months,” he added.

Tandja, an ex-colonel, has been in power after first winning elections in 1999. Last August, he defied outcry both at home and abroad to change the constitution and extend his rule to a third term.

That move made yesterday’s coup not entirely unexpected, according to international diplomats and experts.

Douglas Yates, a political science professor at the American University of Paris told FRANCE 24 that “after getting re-elected in 2004, there were a series of negotiations for big uranium contracts, and it appears that Tandja didn’t want to let go of power.”

Niger is ranked last at 182 on the UN Human Development Index for 2009, but holds about a third of the world’s uranium reserves. French nuclear giant Areva is the country's biggest private employer.

So far the coup leaders have given no indication of how long they will hold power but have asked for support from the international community.

International reactions

After condemning the takeover, the African Union urged for the restoration of the constitution.

Calling for dialogue in the former French colony, France has also criticised the military assault. "France condemns the taking of power by non-constitutional means," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said.

The military coup leaders Niger’s military coup leaders dissolved the government on Feb. 18, after toppling President Mamadou Tandja in the uranium-rich central African country. In picture, military leaders announcing the takeover on state television. The military group, called the “Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy” (CSRD), announced that its head would be Squadron Leader Salou Djibo, whose unit played a key role in the coup. The group’s spokesman Colonel Goukoye Abdoulkarim said “we have decided to put an end to this tense political situation”. In picture, Col Djibrilla Hima Hamidou, also known as Péle. Hima Hamidou was the junta orator during the final troops takeover in 1999. Colonel Harouna Adamou, a Nigerian military figure, also led the coup on Feb. 18. He, too, participated in the 1999 takeover.

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) told the BBC they condemn the attack and had “zero tolerance” for any unconstitutional changes of government. Sanctions imposed by the community are expected until democracy has been restored.

South African President Jacob Zuma has urged the junta to respect the constitution.