Dictator Forming in Niger?

Niger’s President, Mamadou Tandja, has been accused by the opposition of carrying out a coup.  And based on his actions this year, it’s hard to think otherwise.  The opposition in Niger has called on its security forces to ignore the President since he announced Friday that he would rule the country by decree.

ECOWAS Summit Begins Today

The 36th Annual Econonomic Community of Western African States Summit opens today in Abuja, Nigeria.  The summit will cover, among other topics, the political situations in Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Niger.  The summit is for one day and includes all of the Heads of State and Heads of Governments from West African states.

The People of Niger Have Spoken

Apparently, the people have spoken.  This is the reason Niger’s president, Tandja Mamadou gave for holding a referendum to decide on his running for a third term.  Just perhaps the people have not spoken in favor of his decision.

Niger Leader Dissolves Parliament

It’s rare that I read a headline such as a leader dissolving Parliament in an African country and corruption is not a factor. Typically I find myself in a rush to point out the corruption as the main reason why a leader would dissolve his Parliament. That doesn’t seem to be the case here.