ANB-BIA SUPPLEMENT

ISSUE/EDITION Nr 325 - 01/06/1997

CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE

Niger

Uniting a country

by M. Djibo Alfari, Niger, 29 April 1997

THEME = POLITICS

INTRODUCTION -- There seems to be no way out of a vicious circle of political mismanagement and poverty

For seven years, Niger has been caught in the grip of a vicious circle, when it comes to reconstructing the nation. The 1991 Sovereign National Conference which lasted until April 1993, gave high hopes for social and political reform. Indeed, it was supposed to be a real launching pad for Niger's programme of democracy and development. But the Sovereign National Conference has long-since vanished in people's memories, leaving behind, some particularly painful recollections. A transitional government replaced that of President Ali Saibou, with Amadou Cheffou becoming Transitional Prime Minister. In December 1992, there was a referendum for a new Constitution, and in February 1993, parliamentary and presidential elections. The transitional government tried to implement its own economic recovery programme but with not much success. The "economic take-off" people were expecting, did not materialise.

Tensions

Neither did President Mahamane Ousmane's election, result in improvements to the country's economic and political stability. Indeed, the new presidency ended in a chaotic situation - a tumultuous feud between President Ousmane and his prime minister, Hama Amadou.

Political tension plus the on-going feud between president and prime minister, pushed Niger ever closer to the edge. On 27 January 1996, Mahamane Ousmane was toppled in a coup d'état and replaced by the army's, Colonel Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara.

Contradictions

At that time, some of Niger's population and a section of world opinion, considered the coup to be the "lesser evil" for Niger. Today, we are unfortunately forced to note this coup brought with it, a number of contradictions. Niger did have a democratically elected government but a government doing its best to lead the country down the road to chaos. On the other hand -here we have a democratically elected government overthrown by force of arms because this would seem to be the only way to correct a worsening situation. What is happening now? Niger is becoming poorer and poorer, both economically and socially. This economically worn-out country comes last on the list of the Poor Nations Human Development indicator. Rather sad for a country which in 1981 was riding high on the growing economic boom, when uranium production reached a peak, only to see a decline by 1984 because of the recession in world demand for uranium.

Alarm bells ringing

Analyzing the country's current economic situation gives cause for alarm. The rural population are threatened with famine. Civil servants have not been paid for the last five months. The government is perpetually struggling to provide minimum survival conditions for the people.

Added to this is the sombre political scenario. How can a country embark on any serious development programme if it is permanently torn apart by internal political quarrels? Since the controversial election of 7-8 July 1996, when Ibraham Baré Mainassara (who in-between times had become a General) was accused by his opponents of highjacking the elections, thus enabling him to win the presidency, Niger has now sunk into a period where everything is questioned.

Everyone knows that the present National Assembly is entirely made up of the President's followers. The Opposition refused to take part in the election as they said it was clear that the National Electoral Commission was neither open and above board nor impartial.

Opposition

Faced with this, opposition parties met together and formed themselves into a political front, the Front for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (FRDD). The Front wanted to restore the burgeoning democracy which had been stifled after the army brutally intervened on the political scene. To emphasise this point, the Front organised Democracy Days when protest marches, meetings, and other activist events took place.

What happened is well-known. The government clamped down on these Days, and recently the main opposition leaders in Niger were arrested, including former president Mahamane Ousmane himself. On this occasion, the State Security Court, which had been operating under the late General Seyni Kountché, was hastily resurrected to try those arrested, on charges of undermining State security. Fortunately, thanks to the intervention of his peers, General Baré agreed to release his opponents.

Protests galore

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund imposed its conditions for granting Niger economic help, which meant the government of Niger had to take appropriate steps such as restructurising and even privatising certain State-owned companies, such as the Niger Electric Power Company (NIGELEC) and the National Water Company (SNE). That was enough for the civil servants to go on a 72-hour strike and the government took harsh measures against the trade unions concerned.

(At the time of writing, NIGELEC staff members have already been sentenced to one or two years in prison for having allegedly sabotaged high tension lines). The Nigérien Trades Union Federation called for a 72-hour strike (from 22-24 April 1997), the 4th consecutive one, demanding the following from the government:
- 1. All detained colleagues must be released.
- 2. Privatisation, which has been both planned and decided on by the government, without consulting those concerned, must be re-examined.
- 3. All overdue salaries must be paid.
- 4. The new salary-scales of salaries which caused a drastic reduction of income for Niger's civil servants, must be abandoned.
- 5. The uniform tax rate on salaries must be revised.

All this shows clearly how worrying the social and political situation is in Niger. The question is: What can be done to escape disaster?

Appeals for sanity

People in authority have started to ask questions and to sharply criticise the country's politicians, condemning them for leading their country to the brink of the abyss. Quizzed in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Amadou Cissé was accused of doing nothing to get the government and the workers in the various sectors, together.

On this occasion, Adamou Djer-Makoye, the leader of the Niger Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ANDP), who was Speaker of the National Assembly during the 3rd Republic, addressed a moving message to all politicians. He said: "Niger must stop this never-ending internal quarrelling. It's high time now to work together to build up the country; No political force can hope to run the country by itself; All concerned must be prepared to put their cards on the table, and decide once and for all what must be done to lift the country out of the present chaos."

Newspaper interview

Former prime minister Hama Amadou, is now General Secretary of the National Movement for a Developing Society (MNSD), and appears to go along with the same position as Amadou Djer-Makoye. In a recent interview with a local newspaper, Hama Amadou considerably watered down the all-out demands put forward by the Front for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (FRDD). It will be remembered that the FRDD seemed to be calling for the cancellation of the 7-8 July 1996 election results, as well as the dissolution of the present National Assembly. Hama Amadou is aware of the seriousness of the situation and it looks as if he is ready for any fair negotiation, to examine how to rescue Niger from its present position - last on the list of poorest nations. If things continue as they are, Niger's very existence as a State will be in jeopardy.

This newspaper interview caused a stir in opposition ranks. Could it be that the former prime minister was secretly looking to co- operate with those who had previously overthrown him? Those however, who really understand the country's present state, agree that Hama Amadou has sufficient political experience to know what he is doing. Strike action, violent demonstrations etc., have no part, now, in a country with a completely wrecked economy. It is hoped that General Baré and his government will respond to the hand the opposition is holding out. Niger's population is looking and waiting for genuine reconciliation.

On 16 April 1997, just after 4. a.m., a C 130 cargo plane of the National Armed Forces, crashed, 15 km from Niamey. The plane was returning from a flight to Lomé and Cotonou. The 14 occupants died on the spot. The whole Nation was plunged into mourning. Let us hope that this nationwide shared grief will enable the country to come together...yes...even in the realm of politics.

END

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PeaceLink 1997 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement