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Top Military Official Says Junta Will Restore Nigerâs Democracy Soon

   Peter Clottey 25 April 2010
   The  head of the junta in Niger, Major Salou Djibo, who took over in a
   February  18,  2010 coup that toppled President Mamadou Tandja, 24 Feb
   2010 (file photo)

Photo: AFP

   The  head of the junta in Niger, Major Salou Djibo, who took over in a
   February  18,  2010 coup that toppled President Mamadou Tandja, 24 Feb
   2010 (file photo)

   A  spokesman  for  Nigerâs  military  government  says,  the  junta is
   committed towards returning the country to democratic rule.

   Colonel  Abdoul Karim Goukoye says the military government expects the
   National  Transitional  Council to present its report this week to the
   administration.

   âWe are waiting for them by Tuesday. They will forward this project to
   the prime minister, who will again forward this process to us. Then we
   will  take  the  last  decision.  So  we  are right at this point,â he
   said.                         

   Last  week,  Nigerâs National Transitional Council reportedly proposed
   to  hold  the  first presidential election on December 26 of this year
   following  the recent overthrow of long-time President Mamadou Tandja.
   Ex-President   Tandja   is   currently  being  held  by  the  military
   government.

   The  Supreme  Council  for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD) toppled
   Mr.  Tandja  after  the  former  leader  amended  the constitution and
   removed term limits.

   The  opposition  described  the  move  as a coup dâétat and initially
   refused  to  cooperate with Mr. Tandjaâs government. The international
   community,  including  the  Economic  Community of West African States
   (ECOWAS) and the African Union, also condemned the move as undermining
   Nigerâs fledgling democracy.

   Spokesman  Goukoye  said  the  military  juntaâs mission is to restore
   Nigerâs democracy.

   âWe  are  very  convinced of letâs say our mission, and we are setting
   everything  (up)  to  make sure we will restore this democracy in very
   good terms,â Goukoye said.

   Recently  the  junta  signed  two  ordinances  that  will  prevent all
   traditional  rules  or  chiefs  as well as members of the transitional
   government from participating in future elections in Niger.

   Goukoye said the military government will not cling to power.

   âWe  issued this ordinance saying that no one of us will be allowed to
   present  himself  to  the  next electionsâ¦.talking about the military
   even   if  this  person  retires  or  decides  to  take  a  period  of
   availability, he will not be eligible for the election. This is pretty
   much clear,â Goukoye said.

   He  also  said  that  the National Transitional Council will propose a
   period  and agenda after which the junta will make a final decision on
   when to hand over power to an elected government.

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