CDS Party Withdraws from Government; Labor Unions Stage

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000479

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI PREL NG
SUBJECT: CDS Party Withdraws from Government; Labor Unions Stage
"Dead City" to Protest Proposed Constitutional Referendum

Ref: Niamey 00477


1. On June 25, the Democratic and Social Convention (CDS) party, the
second largest party of Niger's ruling coalition, announced that it
would withdraw its eight ministers from the 31-member cabinet. This
move comes in response to President Tandja's June 24 request that
the Constitutional Court retract its June 12 ruling against his
proposal to hold a referendum for a new constitution that would
extend his presidency three years and eliminate presidential term
limits (reftel).

Ministers Hold Key Positions in Government
--------------

2. The CDS ministers who will resign their positions include Djida
Hamadou (Defense),Boukari Zila Mahamadou (Population and Social
Reforms),Issiah Ag Kato (Animal Resources),Issa Lamine (Health),
Salou Gobi (Youth and Sports),Tassiou Aminou (Water Resources),
Saidou Hachimou (African Integration and Nigeriens Abroad),and
Maizama Hadiza (Promotion of Young Entrepreneurs and Public
Companies' Reform).

Announcement is Clear Indication of Referendum
-------------- -

3. Mamane Chaibou, CDS spokesperson, believes that President
Tandja's request confirms his intention to proceed with a
constitutional referendum. On June 25, the CDS formed an opposition
coalition with other political parties and civil society groups
called the Movement for the Defense of Democracy and the Republic
(MDDR).

CDS Reaches Limits
--------------

4. The CDS, which had until June 25 adopted a conciliatory attitude
aimed at convincing the President to abandon his referendum plan,
has reached its limits. As a last warning, the CDS issued a
statement on June 23 asserting its commitment to political,
institutional, and social stability, which had allowed Niger to
achieve notable progress over the past ten years. CDS stated that
it remained faithful to the normal and regular functioning of
government institutions, in compliance with their respective roles
and prerogatives. Following a meeting between President Tandja and
parties of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Republic
(AFDR),the ruling coalition, the CDS recommended that the president
comply with the rulings of the Constitutional Court and put an end
to the "cacophony" and ambiguity that surrounded the referendum
project - but to no avail.

Nigerien Labor Union Confederations Strike
--------------

5. On June 25, all seven Nigerien labor union confederations
declared a "ville morte," a "dead city" or general strike to protest
against President Tandja's intention to organize a constitutional
referendum. In general, civil service employees observed the
strike, but received little support from the private transport and
business sectors. There were also reports that the strike was
limited in effect in the Diffa region, President Tandja's home
area.

Allen