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President Tandja goes for a third term

He may deny it but President Mamadou Tandja began the process of changing the constitution to prolong his mandate in December 2008

After decades of coups and assassinations, Nigeriens had hoped that President Mamadou Tandja would stabilise the country and peacefully hand over to his successor. Instead, he decided to change the constitution. President Tandja had been due to step down on 22 December after two five-year terms but, after signing a peace deal with Tuareg-led militia groups in the north and a production deal with France's giant Areva uranium company in May, he seems to have secured the discreet backing of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to extend his presidency for another term.

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Free article preview

President Tandja goes for a third term

He may deny it but President Mamadou Tandja began the process of changing the constitution to prolong his mandate in December 2008

end of free article preview

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