Reports say there might have been a coup attempt in Niger this afternoon. BBC reporters say machine gun and heavy weapons fire erupted in Niger's capital, Niamey today and smoke was seen rising from the presidential palace. Witnesses say the dramatic scenes might be an attempted coup. There was no indication of who was involved. Political tensions have risen in the uranium exporting nation in recent months over President Mamadou Tandja's extension of his rule. Reuters says an intelligence officer, who asked not to be named, also said the violence was a coup attempt that the presidential guard was trying to put down.
A member of Tandja's entourage in the palace said that "for now everything is alright." BBC reporters say the shooting started around 1200 GMT and could be heard from a distance of about two miles. There were indications that soldiers were blocking the road near the Prime Minister's office.
The shooting and alleged coup attempt may not come as a surprise to many given the political debacle Niger has been embroiled in. Tandja drew widespread criticism and international sanctions after dissolving parliament and orchestrating a constitutional reform that gave him added powers and extended his term beyond his second five-year mandate, which expired in December.
The military’s apparent near-adventure in Niger today is an indication that Africa is still grappling with the issues of democracy. Respect for the rule of law and a nation’s constitution, consensus and respect for public peace are indeed at the heart of any decent democracy.
But as Africa saunters along the rickety roads of what many within and outside the continent refer to as faulty political and democratic processes mixed with sheer disregard for the very elements that democracy is built on…the consequences shall remain grave.
We watch Niger closely.
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