2010 Nigerien coup d'état

A coup d'état occurred in Niger under weapons fire at midday and captured President Mamadou Tandja, who was chairing a government meeting at the time.Todd Pitman
"Armed soldiers storm Niger presidential palace"
Associated Press, 18 February 2010. Later in the day, the rebels announced on television the formation of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD),"Military coup ousts Niger president"
BBC News, 18 February 2010. headed by ''chef d'escadron.

Background

The coup followed a year-long political crisis in Niger related to President Tandja's efforts to extend his mandate beyond December 2009, when his second term was originally scheduled to end. Arguing that the people wanted him to remain in office, Tandja dissolved the National Assembly in May 2009 and subsequently appointed a new Constitutional Court, enabling him to push forward with a constitutional referendum in August 2009 that extended his mandate for an additional three years. The new constitution also enhanced Tandja's power by scrapping the semi-presidential system of government in favor of a presidential system.

The opposition reacted furiously to Tandja's efforts to remain in office and denounced him as a dictator. Tandja also faced strong international and regional criticism as a result of the events of 2009; Niger was suspended from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and some aid from western countries was halted. While Tandja said that he needed to remain in office to oversee various projects of tremendous economic value, others felt that Niger, as one of the poorest nations in the world, was in a poor position to cope with any degree of isolation. The former minister Mariama Gamatié pointed to a serious and ongoing hunger problem and argued that "we cannot afford andja'sego."

Although Tandja negotiated with the opposition in talks that were mediated by ECOWAS, the talks were thought to have reached a stalemate by February 2010. The opposition blamed Tandja for the lack of progress and continued to protest his rule; a large protest, over 10,000-strong, was held in Niamey on 14 February 2010.

Tandja is one of Niger's most enduring politicians, first entering politics through his participation in the 1974 ''coup d'état'' that brought Seyni Kountché to power. He held various high-level posts under the Kountché regime and then headed the National Movement for the Society of Development (MNSD) as an opposition leader during the 1990s. A 1999 coup d'état paved the way for a free and fair election in which Tandja was elected president.

Initial violence

A group of soldiers from a barracks at Tondibia, near Niamey, reportedly entered the city with armored vehicles at noon on 18 February 2010 and opened fire on the presidential palace. They did so while a meeting of the government, chaired by Tandja, was beginning. Gunfire and explosions near the presidential palace were heard "non-stop" for about 30 minutes, followed by "sporadic shooting". A "senior French official" told the news agency Agence France-Presse that a coup attempt was underway and that "it would appear that Tandja is not in a good position". As a result of the attack, Tandja was captured by the rebel soldiers.

At least 10 people, including four soldiers, were killed."Niger's military coup is condemned by France and Africa"
BBC News, 19 February 2010. The French government asked French nationals in Niamey to remain indoors for safety.

After the violence began, streets in the city center were quickly deserted as civilians sought shelter from the events. The national radio station Voix du Sahel continued to broadcast, although it was interrupted for 15 minutes. Subsequently it failed to mention the violence during a normal news report for the afternoon and played traditional music.

Subsequent events

A few hours after the initial violence, reports emerged indicating that the coup attempt, said to be led by Major Adamou Harouna, had succeeded. Tandja and government ministers were said to be held in detention at a point near the palace. Military music was broadcast on the national radio.

Later in the day, the formation of a ruling junta, the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), was announced on television. Speaking for the CSRD, Colonel Abdul Karim Goukoye, who was surrounded by other soldiers, announced that the constitution was suspended and state institutions, such as the National Assembly, were dissolved. He called for calm and unity among the people and urged "national and international opinions to support us in our patriotic action to save Niger and its population from poverty, deception and corruption". According to Goukoye, the military had acted because it felt the need to resolve Niger's "tense political situation". The announcement did not mention Tandja, and it also failed to clarify how long the CSRD planned to remain in power. It did, however, say that the national borders were closed and an overnight curfew was being imposed. The border closure and curfew were lifted the next day.

Although the coup action was reportedly led by Adamou Harouna,Abdoulaye Massalatchi
"Niger's capital calm one day after coup"
Reuters, 19 February 2010. the CSRD was headed by Colonel Salou Djibo. At the time of the coup he was considered an obscure figure, little known by the general public. The presence in the junta of some officers who had previously participated in the 1999 coup, which led to free and fair elections within a relatively short timeframe, raised hopes in some quarters that the CSRD would pursue a similar course.

According to Reuters, life in Niamey had largely returned to normal by 19 February and there was "a sense of relief and hope for change" after an extended political crisis and semi-isolation. The work of government continued, with ministries being managed by their secretaries-general. Speaking on 19 February, Djibo was reticent about the CSRD's intentions, saying only that "we are at a starting point, and we will create a consultative body".Abdoulaye Massalatchi
"Niger coup leader silent on election timetable"
Reuters, 19 February 2010. Speaking to the BBC
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