Niger Coup
On 19th February 2010 a military junta calling itself the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy deposed President Mamadou Tandja of Niger and vowed to run the country until free and fair elections could be held.
This followed tensions surfacing throughout the country from last summer when the President Tandja altered Niger's constitution to allow himself to stay in power at the end of his period of office.
Ironically Tandja himself had swept into power following his predecessor doing exactly the same thing. Although a coup, this one appears to have the support of many of Niger's population and there has certainly not been the unrest associated with coups in that region.
Election were held in early 2011 and Social Democratic Party leader Mahamadou Issoufou won with 57.95% per cent of the vote against former Prime Minister Seini Oumarou, who took 42.05 per cent in the runoff election.
The country is now back under civilian rule and anxiety about the army's role in the coup eased after they did not run any candidates in the election. President Issoufou now heads the government having appointed Brigi Rafini as Prime Minister with who he shares some executive powers. The government with its new constitution adopted on 31st October 2010 also has a twenty six member cabinet appointed by the President.
The above video updates on events following those headlines.
TAGS: Niger Coup, Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, President Mamadou Tandja, Niger Coup 2010, Niger Coup Update, Niger Coup Video