Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY391
2009-06-01 12:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
President Tandja Announces Intentions to Hold
how-toVZCZCXRO7376 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA RUEHTRO DE RUEHNM #0391 1521241 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 011241Z JUN 09 ZDS FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5076 INFO RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000391
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - PASS ADDRESSEE ADDED
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
DEPT PASS TO TSCTP COLLECTIVE
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: President Tandja Announces Intentions to Hold
Constitutional Referendum
Ref: a) Niamey 00376 b) Niamey 00378 c) Niamey 00381
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000391
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - PASS ADDRESSEE ADDED
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
DEPT PASS TO TSCTP COLLECTIVE
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: President Tandja Announces Intentions to Hold
Constitutional Referendum
Ref: a) Niamey 00376 b) Niamey 00378 c) Niamey 00381
1. (U) On Friday, March 29, President Mamadou Tandja addressed the
nation on state television (Tele-Sahel) to inform Nigeriens of his
intentions to seek a new constitution, via referendum, that would
lift the current limit on presidential terms. This announcement
comes despite the Nigerien Constitutional Court's publicized May 23
unfavorable opinion that such a referendum would not be in
conformity with the Nigerien constitution, in short,
unconstitutional (ref a). It also follows President Tandja's May 26
dissolution of the National Assembly (ref b). President Tandja did
not confirm in his address to the nation a date for the referendum.
President Tandja Cites Article 49
--------------
2. (U) President Tandja stated that the proposed constitutional
referendum would allow the people to "adopt a presidential regime,
which is necessary given the current constitution's limitations."
According to Article 49 of Niger's constitution, the president must
seek the advice of the Constitutional Court and the National
Assembly before subjecting the constitution to a referendum. It
goes on to say that, "the president can summit to referendum all
text that he believes requires direct consultation with the people."
3. (U) Minimize considered.
Allen
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - PASS ADDRESSEE ADDED
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
DEPT PASS TO TSCTP COLLECTIVE
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: President Tandja Announces Intentions to Hold
Constitutional Referendum
Ref: a) Niamey 00376 b) Niamey 00378 c) Niamey 00381
1. (U) On Friday, March 29, President Mamadou Tandja addressed the
nation on state television (Tele-Sahel) to inform Nigeriens of his
intentions to seek a new constitution, via referendum, that would
lift the current limit on presidential terms. This announcement
comes despite the Nigerien Constitutional Court's publicized May 23
unfavorable opinion that such a referendum would not be in
conformity with the Nigerien constitution, in short,
unconstitutional (ref a). It also follows President Tandja's May 26
dissolution of the National Assembly (ref b). President Tandja did
not confirm in his address to the nation a date for the referendum.
President Tandja Cites Article 49
--------------
2. (U) President Tandja stated that the proposed constitutional
referendum would allow the people to "adopt a presidential regime,
which is necessary given the current constitution's limitations."
According to Article 49 of Niger's constitution, the president must
seek the advice of the Constitutional Court and the National
Assembly before subjecting the constitution to a referendum. It
goes on to say that, "the president can summit to referendum all
text that he believes requires direct consultation with the people."
3. (U) Minimize considered.
Allen