Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY432
2009-06-08 16:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
Niger's Council of Ministers Set Date for Constitutional
how-toVZCZCXRO3380 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #0432 1591605 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 081605Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5103 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000432
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ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: Niger's Council of Ministers Set Date for Constitutional
Referendum
Ref: a)Niamey 00391 b)Niamey 00381 c)Niamey 00376
Referendum Campaign to Begin in July
------------------------------------
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000432
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: Niger's Council of Ministers Set Date for Constitutional
Referendum
Ref: a)Niamey 00391 b)Niamey 00381 c)Niamey 00376
Referendum Campaign to Begin in July
--------------
1. (U) On June 5, Niger's Council of Ministers announced a fixed
date for a constitutional referendum. This comes on the heels of
President Tandja's May 29 address to the nation on State television
(Tele-Sahel) informing Nigeriens of his intention to seek a new
constitution, via referendum, that would lift the current limit on
presidential terms(ref a). According to the decree issued by the
Ministers on June 5, the referendum campaign will open on July 13
and end on August 2. Nigeriens would then vote on the
constitutional referendum on August 4.
Status of National Assembly Elections Unknown
--------------
2. (SBU) The August 4 date for a constitutional referendum is an
important development. According to Article 48 of Niger's
constitution, elections for a new National Assembly must take place
within 45-90 days of the dissolving of the assembly. President
Tandja dissolved the National Assembly on May 26, meaning that there
is a legal requirement to hold new elections before August 25. If
President Tandja chooses to wait until after the constitutional
referendum and, if he is able to get a yes vote on it together with
presidential term modifications, this may affect the requirement for
National Assembly elections to be held in the near future. (Note:
It is believed there would be legal implications if the new
elections do not occur before the August 4 constitutional referendum
because President Tandja dissolved the National Assembly based on
the current constitution. Consequently the legality of holding
future elections based on a new/different constitution would come
into play. End note.)
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA
PLS PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/W
ACCRA ALSO FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI NG
SUBJECT: Niger's Council of Ministers Set Date for Constitutional
Referendum
Ref: a)Niamey 00391 b)Niamey 00381 c)Niamey 00376
Referendum Campaign to Begin in July
--------------
1. (U) On June 5, Niger's Council of Ministers announced a fixed
date for a constitutional referendum. This comes on the heels of
President Tandja's May 29 address to the nation on State television
(Tele-Sahel) informing Nigeriens of his intention to seek a new
constitution, via referendum, that would lift the current limit on
presidential terms(ref a). According to the decree issued by the
Ministers on June 5, the referendum campaign will open on July 13
and end on August 2. Nigeriens would then vote on the
constitutional referendum on August 4.
Status of National Assembly Elections Unknown
--------------
2. (SBU) The August 4 date for a constitutional referendum is an
important development. According to Article 48 of Niger's
constitution, elections for a new National Assembly must take place
within 45-90 days of the dissolving of the assembly. President
Tandja dissolved the National Assembly on May 26, meaning that there
is a legal requirement to hold new elections before August 25. If
President Tandja chooses to wait until after the constitutional
referendum and, if he is able to get a yes vote on it together with
presidential term modifications, this may affect the requirement for
National Assembly elections to be held in the near future. (Note:
It is believed there would be legal implications if the new
elections do not occur before the August 4 constitutional referendum
because President Tandja dissolved the National Assembly based on
the current constitution. Consequently the legality of holding
future elections based on a new/different constitution would come
into play. End note.)