Emergency powers for Niger leader
The president of Niger says he
will assume sweeping emergency powers, after a court again said he
could not extend his rule.
Mamadou Tandja, 71, made his announcement after Niger's top court
ruled against a referendum that could give him three more years in
office.
Mr Tandja has governed the West African nation since 1999, serving
two terms.
His plans to remain in power have sparked domestic protests and been
criticised by international donors.
But supporters of Mr Tandja say he has brought economic growth and
so deserves the right to seek re-election.
In a televised address, the president said he was assuming the
special powers "because the independence of the country is
threatened".
His address came hours after the Constitutional Court rejected his
request for a review of an earlier decision that ruled his
referendum unlawful.
Mr Tandja announced his referendum plan in May. But it drew protests
from the opposition and trade unions, who turned to the court.
The president then dissolved parliament and assumed executive
powers.
The country's electoral commission, meanwhile, has set parliamentary
elections for 20 August - two weeks after the referendum's proposed
date.
Source:BBC
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