afrol News, 10 June - The UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon has said the recent heightened political tension in Niger is a cause for concern following President Mamadou Tandja decision to dissolved Niger’s Parliament on 26 May.

Mr Ban said in a statement that such developments come at a time when Niger had made significant progress in efforts to consolidate democratic and economic progress as well as to resolve the Tuareg conflict.

“The Secretary-General urges all parties to act in full respect of the country’s Constitution and to refrain from any action that would undermine Niger’s democratic gains, as well as the stability of the country,” the statement added.

Mr Ban said he also welcomes the recent initiatives by regional leaders and urged the peaceful resolution of Niger’s current problems.

Last month, Niger opposition parties were angered by President Tandja's decision to dissolve the parliament hours after the constitutional court rejected his plan to hold a referendum on extending his term in office.

President Tandja's second term is set to expire this year, but the government has been lobbying for constitutional changes to allow him to contest the November election.

The dissolution of parliament marks the end of a bitter spat between the president and parliament over the third term issue, to which the MPs demanded a change in leadership in the West African state.

The constitution bans him from standing again in the elections scheduled for December 2009, but he has said he would willingly stay in power if the people want to give him another term.

According to the constitution, a new parliament will now have to be elected within three months, but there was no immediate presidential announcement on a new election date.

The 70 years old leader was first elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2004.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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