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Niger Politicians Debate Provision on Presidential Power

   Ricci Shryock | Dakar 09 August 2010
   President  Mamadou  Tandja  is  surrounded  by bodyguards as he leaves
   after  casting his vote in a constitutional referendum that would keep
   him in power, in Niamey, Niger (File Photo - 04 Aug 2009)

Photo: AP

   President  Mamadou  Tandja  is  surrounded  by bodyguards as he leaves
   after  casting his vote in a constitutional referendum that would keep
   him in power, in Niamey, Niger (File Photo - 04 Aug 2009)

   Members  of  Niger's  former  regime were recently angered by proposed
   changes to reduce the power of the office of the presidency. But talks
   have  moved  forward calmly, and some politicians say the changes will
   help the country overcome problems in the future.

   Niger's  Consultative Council is currently debating provisions of what
   could be the West African country's new constitution.

   One  change,  which  would  reduce  the  power  of the presidency, has
   angered some members of former president Mamadou Tandja's regime.

   Mr. Tandja was forced out of office in February in a coup. The country
   is  currently  ruled by a military government, but a public referendum
   on  a  new  constitution  is  scheduled  for  October 31. Presidential
   elections are scheduled to be held in January.

   A  member  of Tandja's political party, Sabo Saidou, said some members
   of  the  constitutional discussions are at risk of losing objectivity,
   because of disagreements among factions.

   After  initial  disagreements  about the president's power, talks have
   continued  calmly.  Saidou  added  that these innovations should allow
   citizens   guidelines  for  approaching  government  bodies  to  solve
   possible  problems  in the future. He said it is a measure of security
   for the country.

   The Economic Community of West African States,ECOWAS, a regional bloc,
   has  condemned  the  military takeover and urged the junta to expedite
   Niger's return to constitutional rule.

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