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Niger

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Military Coup

In February 2010, the military of Niger staged a coup and overthrew the government of President Mamadou Tandja, replacing him with a leader of their own choosing, Salou Djibo. A new government, deemed the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, was also formed. Djibo promised the people of his country a return to civilian rule and elections to choose a new leader, but he has not said when that event will occur. The overthrow of Tandja, a former military man himself, is evidence that many in Niger were deeply unhappy with his recent abolishment of presidential term limits, seeing it as a threat to the country's young democracy. Tandja had been in office for over 10 years.

In the first round of 2011 presidential elections which saw 51.6% voter turnout, Mahamadou Issoufou of the Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS) won 36.2% of the vote while Seyni Oumarou of the National Movement for the Development of Society (MNSD) tallied 23.2%, triggering a runoff, which was held in March. After capturing 58% of the runoff vote, Mahamadou Issoufou assumed the presidential office. He appointed Brigi Rafini as prime minister.

See also Encyclopedia: Niger .
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Niger