The Fall and Rise of Niger

Niger's President Tandja Mamadou was recently forcibly removed from office during a cabinet meeting with Niger officials Thursday February 18, 2010 by the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, the CSRD. The CSRD took Mamadou captive to an unknown location and militant officials claim he is safe. The recent military action to remove Mamadou from office stemmed from public outrage and political officials corrupting the government constitution to extend the president's term limit and wield more power. Initially Mamadou gave an interview in 2007 and claiming he wanted to step down from power after his second term but that failed true when an issue to allow for a third term came into a question in early 2009.

Opposition coalitions such as the Co-ordination of Democratic Forces for the Republic (CFDR) welcomed the coup of President Mamadou as did thousands of civilians that took to the streets in support of the CSRD. Military official, Colonel Salou Djibo, was named the head of the military government and reinstating the constitution and government control to the country. The CSRD promised to relieve the country of poverty, deception and corruption and show how Niger can become a good example of positive democratic governance.