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Starting from scratch

A new democracy, an empty treasury and a hollow economy

Niger has calmed down since the elections of November 1999 put it back on the road to democracy, after several turbulent years. Politics were stabilised by the 59.9 per cent vote for President Mamadou Tandja in the second round, when he was helped by the backing of ex-President Mahamane Ousmane. The ruling team will face its first electoral test late this year, with municipal elections in, for a start, 205 communes. This will also be the test for a new decentralisation plan drawn up by Prime Minister Hama Amadou's government. The plan is soon to be presented to the Assemblée Nationale....

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Starting from scratch

A new democracy, an empty treasury and a hollow economy

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