EU "worried" about political developments in Niger

The European Union (EU) said on Wednesday that it was "worried" about the latest developments in the political situation in the West African state of Niger after President Mamadou Tandja's decision to dismiss the 7 judges of the Constitutional Court.

The body is now deprived of its prerogatives of controlling the frequency and transparency of referendums and elections.

The EU said the decisions taken by President Tandja seriously called into question the basic elements of the Cotonou agreement, which could have direct repercussions on cooperation with Niger.

In a communiqué made available to the press in Brussels, the EU said democratic institutions and the Constitutional Court must be in a position to play their roles as guarantors of the rules and their rulings must be respected to the letter by everybody.

President Tandja assumed special powers under Article 53 of Niger's Constitution and decided to organise a referendum on 4 August that will allow his term of office to be extended by 3 years after his second and final term expires.

The current constitution, which dates back to 1999, bans any amendment to the term of office of the President of the Republic.

Last May, President Tandja dissolved the national assembly which opposed the draft amendments of the constitution.

Brussels - 01/07/2009

Pana