- Title: NIGER: Swift coup ends tensions and wins army popularity
- Date: 23rd February 2010
- Summary: NIAMEY, NIGER (FEBRUARY 22, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS OUTSIDE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (MOVING SHOT) JEEP WITH MOUNTED CANNON OUTSIDE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE TANK ON POSITION OUTSIDE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE SOLDIERS STANDING GUARD NEAR CANNON WITH PEOPLE WALKING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT DAMAGE FROM BULLETS FIRED DURING THE COUP ON GOVERNMENT BUILDING MORE OF BULLET IMPACT IN WALL, PEOPLE LOOKING AT HOLES IN WALL PEOPLE WALKING ON STREET (SOUNDBITE) (French) CITY HALL EMPLOYEE, MAMADOU ISSA, SAYING: "Honestly I can't even find the words to thank this military junta, the words don't even exist to thank them, because truly it's a great relief, really they have saved the Nigerien people, and honestly, there aren't enough words to thank them." VARIOUS OF STREET WITH MAN READING NEWSPAPER, VEGETABLE SHOP INTERIOR OF NIAMEY MARKET GROUP OF MEN TALKING INSIDE MARKET (SOUNDBITE) (French) MAMADOU ILLA, SHOP KEEPER, SAYING: "First of all we have to wait for the soldiers to clean the house, because our house is dirty. We should sweep it clean first, so we need to give them a little bit of time to clearly assess the situation in Niger, because our coffers are empty, and it's them (the previous regime) who have looted our country's coffers. So we should sweep it clean first in order to then fill the country's coffers, after they organise free and transparent elections to put the democracy back on track." MEN LISTENING TO ILLA (SOUNDBITE) (French) SHOP KEEPER MAMADOU ILLA, SAYING: "I give them between 18 months and two years of transition, because there's a lot still to do. We still have ahead of us the drawing of a new constitution, putting together the electoral register, and of course the presidential elections, legislative and local elections, so we have a lot to do in a little time, so it won't be easy." NIAMEY, NIGER (FEBRUARY 21, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE BUILDING OF THE FORMER RULING PARTY, NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR SOCIETY AND DEVELOPMENT (MNSD) PEOPLE ENTERING THE BUILDING
- Embargoed: 10th March 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Niger
- Country: Niger
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA61M0J2HA3EYU4P599EF6UV8WU
- Story Text: Niger's military swift couptensions and wins army popularity, but still little known of military junta's steps to restore democracy.
Niger's army attacked the leafy government district as the last of the civil servants were knocking off for lunch. By the time they were due back at work, soldiers were in charge and President Mamadou Tandja locked up.
Months of frustrations over political wrangling, a clinical operation and remaining low key since last Thursday's takeover have won the army praise and some time.
"Honestly I can't even find the words to thank this military junta, the words don't even exist to thank them, because trully it's a great relief, really they have saved the Nigerien people, and honestly, there aren't enough words to thank them," said Mamadou Issa, a City Hall employee, on Monday (February 22).
Still, working out how to get the West African uranium exporter back on the rails will be more tricky.
Deep in the warrens of Niamey's Grand Marche, where people were soon back at their stands hawking piles of printed wax cloth, secondhand shoes and wheelbarrows of fruit and cola nuts, support for the military's action is almost unequivocal.
"First of all we have to wait for the soldiers to clean the house, because our house is dirty," said shopkeeper Mamadou Illa, referring to the months of wrangling between Tandja and opposition parties that preceded the coup.
"We need to give them a little bit of time to clearly assess the situation in Niger, because our coffers are empty, and it's them (the previous regime) who have looted our country's coffers," Illa said.
"I give them 18 months to two years for the transition. There is a lot to do," he added, listing a new constitution and voter list as necessary tasks before polls can be held.
The wrangling was over Tandja's re-writing of the constitution to give himself wider powers and more time to use them after his second term in power ran out last December.
Tandja's party, allies and grassroots backers talk more about reinstating democracy than reinstating him.
"The national political bureau of MNSD Nassara vigorously condemns the military coup of 18 February 2010, and holds responsible these actors as we risk to lose control and deteriorate the political, social and economical situation of our country," said Seini Oumarou, the president of Tandja's MNSD party.
Thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets over the weekend to back the coup, which was officially criticised but, in private, diplomats say may have created an opening.
Many would like to see the new regime bring back a quality of life most Nigeriens only can dream of.
"They (previous regime led by Tandja) ate all our money, so the soldiers should catch everyone responsible. The soldiers will catch them and they will pay. We should sell their houses and sell their cars," said a taxi driver from Niamey, Moumine Thildo.
The junta, known as the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (SCRD), has promised this but given no details of what form this will take, nor who will be involved.
Over the weekend, diplomats swept into the heavily fortified junta headquarters, where soldiers in armoured vehicles and battle-wagons stood guard, and emerged from talks impressed by promises they were given for a planned return to civilian rule.
The political deadlock between Tandja's supporters and his rivals, which had escalated bitterly in recent months, also gave way to jovial greetings and back-slapping as the delegations from the two sides met for talks with the visiting diplomats.
However, little information is trickling out as officers from the army, air force and other branches of the military come and go to marathon meetings in the base in the middle of the capital city.
Nothing concrete has been said about what the coup means for Niger's multi-billion contracts with France's nuclear mining giant Areva or the China National Petroleum Corp.
Niger's coup is West Africa's third in 18 months, prompting some fears of slippage in steps towards bringing democracy to the region, particularly after Guinea's soldiers have repeatedly reneged on vows to hold polls in the world's top bauxite exporter.
But Niger's military rulers appear, for now, keen to push a pro-democracy line.
Aside from a few rocket-blasted buildings near the presidential palace, where a handful of soldiers still stand guard, there is little to suggest a coup has just taken place. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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