afrol News, 26 May - Niger's president, Mamadou Tandja, has dissolved parliament a day after the constitutional court turned down his bid to extend his term.

The 70 years old Mr Tandja, was elected to the presidency in 1999 and had promised to quit at the end of his term later this year, but sommersaulted, even trying to hold a referendum to confirm him for a third term, claiming wide support from the Niger people.

Political observers have said the move by the president could mean an eventual take over of a dictatorship and a possible cancellation of the elections expected in November this year.

President Mamadou Tandja of Niger is planning for a referendum over a constitutional amendment that would allow him to run candidate for a third presidential term in elections on 14 November. Many Nigeriens are shocked, saying he "swore on the Koran" to step down in December this year.

In January, Niger set the December deadline for the holding of general elections, with Prime Minister Seini Oumarou saying the vote for the local government would be held on 30 June and the national and presidential elections were to follow in November.

Political unrest evolved in the poor Sahelian country as President Tandja tried to move the Niamey parliament to change current legislation to allow for a third presidential term.

The President's plan, but also his arguments - widely seen as arrogant - have caused broad rejection within Niger's political establishment. Mr Tandja argues that, with the foundation he has laid for Niger's economic development, he needs to follow up on the process to assure no mistakes are made and to secure maximum benefit from initiated programmes.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories