Niger junta seeks democratic lessons from Ghana

By Edmund Mingle
Nine days after the military junta took over power in Niger, the leaders of the junta are in Ghana to solicit ideas to help return that country to democratic rule.

“Ghana is a school in terms of democracy in Africa, and we have come to the school for advice,” Colonel Mossi Hasaan, a leading member of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, currently controlling power in Niger, told President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle in Accra yesterday.

Col. Hassan, who led a seven-man delegation from the Council to Accra, to explain developments in that country to President Mills, and to seek support, said the junta was aware of the drawbacks coups create on national progress, but noted that circumstances forced the military to take over power.

“What we are seeking is true democracy,” he said, and expressed optimism that other African countries, particularly Ghana, with her vast experience, would provide the necessary assistance for them to lay an effective foundation for democratic rule.

He promised gave the assurance that none of the members of the junta would be allowed to stand for elections, saying the Supreme Council, which has already appointed a civilian Prime Minister to oversee the transition to democratic rule, was determined to return power to the people.

President Mills, in his response, thanked the delegation for the visit, saying Ghana has been concerned over recent events in Niger.

He recalled that political developments in that country was a subject of discussion at the recent ECOWAS Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, some interventions were agreed on to keep Niger on the track of democracy.

Such issues in Niger, he stressed were of concern to other countries in the sub-region, “since we are brother and sisters.”

“We want the best for our countries,” he said, and reminded the delegation that “power resides in the people.”

The government, he said would be following events in Niger, and would provide the necessary assistance to ensure that there was peace in that country.

The delegation has already been in Nigeria to solicit that country’s assistance.
Thousands of Nigeriens, who accused ousted President Mamadou Tandja of becoming a tyrant, have been celebrating his overthrow on February 18, 2010.
Mr. Tandja, 71, had been growing more authoritarian as the end of his second term in office approached last year.
He changed the constitution to make presidential term limitless, and pushed elections back to 2012.
He also dissolved parliament and tightened his grip on the press in Niger, one of the poorest countries in Africa.