Posted on 11/19/2009 3:22:36 AM PST by Loyalist
The cause of democracy in Africa could have done without this latest affront. Barely six months after giving the French president an undertaking that he would leave power at the end of his second term, Niger’s president, Mamadou Tandja, has rewritten the rules to give himself power for as long as he wishes.
A general election was held on 20 October to renew 113 seats in parliament, which Tandja dissolved in May to overcome its opposition to his plans to change the constitution. He organised a referendum on 4 August to obtain popular approval for new rules, doing away with the two-term limit on presidential office. Tandja, who has been in power for 10 years, thus avoided the need for another presidential election – scheduled for the end of this year – and can in theory remain in power for as long as he likes. Meanwhile he has had large numbers of political opponents arrested.
With an opposition boycott, the turnout for last Tuesday’s poll seems to have been poor, but the vote maintains an illusion of popular support. The president says he is still in power because of the people’s wish to see him “complete the [country’s] development projects”.
After Madagascar, Mauritania and Guinea, Niger joins the depressing list of military or “constitutional” coups French-speaking Africa has endured this year, not to mention disputed elections in Congo and Gabon. The people of Ivory Coast have been waiting five years for long-delayed elections.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardianweekly.co.uk ...
Actually, I think Obama will be envious. Why?
Because he could never carry it off as the military hates his guts!!
Good Point!
Now, does what's his face from Niger have a birth certificate?
Where have I seen that tried before... Oh yeah. The ChavObama-guy in Hondurus.
Kenyan leader rewrites Constitution to keep power...
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