Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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August 10, 2009

Opposition Group Calls for Niger President's Ouster
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=25E2DBD:A6F02AD83191E160F6CD86B2D4BEEC8B3CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
 
United Front for the Safeguard of Democratic Assets calls vote to change
constitution illegal, accuses president of corruption 
Niger President Mamadou Tandja speaks to journalists at the presidential
residence in Niamey (File)An opposition group in Niger has called for
the ouster of President Mamadou Tandja, following a referendum designed
to keep him in power. The United Front for the Safeguard of Democratic
Assets, known by its French acronym FUSAD, says last week's vote to
change Niger's constitution was illegal. In an interview with VOA
English to Africa service, a leading member of FUSAD, Maru Amadou,
accused Mr. Tandja of corruption and said the people of Niger should
"fight against his presidency until he falls."Supporters of Mr. Tandja
have dismissed FUSAD's pronouncement, calling it baseless and
unpatriotic. Electoral officials in Niger said 92 percent of voters
approved the constitutional changes that will allow Mr. Tandja to seek a
third term in office. Opposition parties that boycotted the vote say
they will challenge the results. Mr. Tandja pushed ahead with the
referendum over the objections of parliament and Niger's constitutional
court, which ruled the vote illegal. The president has dissolved both
bodies and currently is ruling by decree. Mr. Tandja says Niger's people
want him to finish several foreign-backed projects to develop the
impoverished nation's economy. The government is working with foreign
investors on infrastructure projects including a uranium mine, an oil
refinery, and a hydroelectric dam. Niger is rich in uranium, but its 15
million people are among the world's poorest.


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