”Civilian Coup” Gives President Tandja Absolute Power
The fears of many people in Niger have been realized: the democratic structures of the Fifth Republic have been dismantled and a regime headed by President Mamadou Tandja installed. Behind the democratic facade of this new Sixth Republic, President Tandja governs as an absolute ruler. After the constitutional court ruled that the president’s request for a referendum on extending his term ran counter to the constitution of the Fifth Republic, the president dissolved the constitutional court and the legislature.
