A junta, the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, captured the president and his ministers on February 19, 2010 at 11.27 GMT
Calling itself the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), the junta stormed Niger’s presidential palace in broad daylight. They captured president Mamadou Tandja and his ministers in a four-hour gun battle that left at least three people dead.
In a televised announcement, a spokesman for the plotters said Niger’s constitution had been suspended and all state institutions dissolved. The CSRD imposed a curfew and closed the country’s borders.
In a statement the CSRD said its leader as Salou Djibo and that government business would be handled by heads of ministries and Niger’s regions until a new government is formed.
Tensions have been growing in the country since last August, when Tandja, himself a former army officer, changed the constitution to allow him to stay in power beyond his legal term limit. The move provoked a political crisis and threw Niger into isolation. However, diplomats have indicated that the coup may offer the country a fresh start and open the door for elections.
The soldiers, who said they had acted to end the tense political situation, appear to have won some support among an increasingly frustrated population.
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written by Jeff Wadulo, March 06, 2010
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written by solo, March 07, 2010
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