Niger: Opposition Withdraws from Negotiations with the Government

Niger’s opposition parties back out of negotiations talks organized by President Mamadou Tadja’s government scheduled to commence on 29 October 2009 .

Niger’s Prime Minister Seini Oumarou said that the invitation of the opposition by President Tadja’s government for negotiations is aimed at resolving the on going political crisis in Niger.

The opposition however believes that this initiative is a scheme the government is using to deceive the international community.

The vice president of the Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), Bazoum Mohammed, said that the negotiations will be supervised by ECOWAS
Mr. Mohammed dismissed Tandja’s constitution that allows him to stay in office for three terms.

President Tadja amended the constitution to allow him have another term in office and has refused to step down despite local and International pressure. His term expires on 22 December after two terms in office. [GR]