By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

NIAMEY, Niger– On Monday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Niger for its refusal to postpone its upcoming legislative election. Niger President Mamadou Tandja has disappointed his colleagues in ECOWAS with the recent actions he has taken to secure his third term in office. In May of 2009, Tandja made a constitutional referendum that would extend his term as President of Niger. Upon the presentation of the referendum, the Niger Parliament found it unconstitutional. Subsequently Tandja decided to dissolve the Parliament in order to insure his plan for a third term was not disturbed. The following month, Tandja also dissolved the Constitutional court after it ruled his third term bid illegal.

Tandja’s continued attempts to make illegal changes to his country’s political structure are what have brought ECOWAS suspension of Niger. In November, Niger will be finishing legislative elections for 113 legislators to replace the parliament Tandja dismissed back in May. The suspension was preceded by ECOWAS first deciding that Tandja’s referendum  was against the “letter and spirit of the Constitution of Niger and a violation of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.” Upon their finding, ECOWAS asked Tandja to delay these elections to allow for political dialogue following the controversial referendum that extended his time in office. As a result of his refusal to delay the elections, ECOWAS followed through with their threats by suspending Niger.

ECOWAS believes its suspension of Niger will affect Mr. Tandja. ECOWAS political director Abdel Fatau Musa said, “If you are considered a pariah, an outcast, from an organization you have ratified the conditions of, then psychologically it will affect you.” Musa further made the point that if Tandja does not back down the issue could find its way to the UN Security Council further isolating Niger.

Proponents of Tandja say that his contributions to the Niger economy is reason enough to make sense of his presidency.

For more information please see:

All Africa – Ecowas Imposes Sanctions on Guinea, Niger – 18 October 2009
BBC – Africa Trade Bloc Suspends Niger – 20 October 2009
BBC – Niger Corruption Case “Political” – 15 September 2009
VOA – Ecowas Suspends Niger in Dispute Over Constitution – 20 October 2009