Fear of violence over president’s tenure - Tandja determined to extend stay in office despite strong opposition to plan

June 7th, 2009

By REUTERS

 

NIAMEY,

 

Niger could face more violence unless its political leaders engage in dialogue to solve the issue of whether the president should be able to extend his time in office, the country’s Muslim and Christian leaders said.

The appeal came after opposition leaders on Saturday called off street protests against President Mamadou Tandja’s plans for a referendum to change the constitution to give him another three years in office. They plan a legal challenge instead.

President Tandja’s plans have already sparked protests that turned violent last week. Foreign donors and regional political bodies have also criticised the plan and threatened sanctions.

“The social tension we are experiencing points to great dangers for social harmony and national cohesion that, if we are not careful, risk leading the country to a difficult future,” the religious leaders warned their joint statement.

“We call on everyone, especially the political leaders, to show patriotism and a sense of responsibility so they can open a dialogue to resolve this crisis peacefully,” they said.

The signatories to the statement included the Nigerien Islamic Council, the Nigerien Catholic Missions and the National Council for Social Dialogue.

President Tandja is due to step down when his second term in office ends later this year but he has called for an August 4 constitutional referendum which, if approved, would give him another three years running the nation that soon hopes to become the world’s No. 2 uranium exporter.

President Tandja says he needs the time to introduce a fully-presidential system that will give the president more power and end current blockages in governance. He says the people want him to stay in office to complete large infrastructure projects.

The US, however, has strongly warned against the plan, saying it would be a set-back for democracy, while West Africa’s ECOWAS regional political body has threatened to impose economic sanctions if Niger behaves undemocratically.

source.nation.ke