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Talks
by officials of the regional body ECOWAS on Niger Republic during the week
ended in the body imposing a boycott of the leader, and announcing that it
no longer recognizes Tandja’s leadership of the Republic. Had the Nigerien
President honored the original mandate under which he assumed power, he
would have left the office Tuesday, having served two complete terms of five
years each.
Meanwhile, the United States has voiced its concern earlier over the non democratic extension of term through a questionable referendum undertaken by the government of Tandja Mammadu. On December 23 the State Department further announced the suspension of non humanitarian assistance to Niger and imposing travel restrictions on some of its leaders.
In its report, AllAfrica.com an online news source state that a further statement from the White House came on the same day as the one from State Department. “On the same day, the White House announced that Niger would be one of three African countries - the others being Guinea and Madagascar - which would lose their preferential trading status with the U.S. in 2010.
The United States Government, according to its agency implementing the AGOA Act (a U S Government Trade Act for African countries) has announced the suspension of trade benefits for the three African countries for their retrogressive steps against democratic ideals. Niger for the government's extension of mandate, and the two other countries have experienced a forceful change of government (coup-de-tat) from democratic ones.
The AGOA act allows for tariff free access to U S markets for African countries in some categorized products, including agricultural products.
In an apparent reaction to growing frustrations it encounters over the recent actions, the government of Niger has announced the renewal of arrest warrants for three opposition leaders. They are Hamma Ahmadu, Muhammadu Issoufou, and Mahamane Ousmane.
Meanwhile in a neighboring West African country of Liberia, the government has instituted a new law that promises to help reverse corruption in the country. The new law protects citizens and encourages them to come forward with incidents plus evidences of corruption within the coffers of government and also the private industry.
Africa News, a continental online source reported that
the main aim of the law, according to President Sirleaf “is to protect
whistle blowers as well as stem the negative practice in the country. It
also gives protection to persons employed in both public and private
institutions who disclose information about actions that are against the
public interest in all sectors.”
“'We are trying to accelerate our fight against corruption, this is an
important moment for us, and I want to keep the momentum alive,” the
president told BBC News Hour programme, on Tuesday. “And so I decided I
would pass an executive order until the legislature returns.'”
As to why the first African female President of Liberia thinks the law was
necessary, President Sirleaf said: “There is a lot of corruption and people
are afraid to come forward for fear of retribution.”
President Sirleaf however promised that there will be thorough investigation of all reports taken in by the government authorities to make sure they are credible and assured that regardless of how close potential suspects are to her, they will face the full force of the laws.
Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is Africa’s first female President and Head of
Government and Liberia’s 23rd President. She won election with 59% of total
votes cast and was inaugurated on January 16th, 2006. She has been a
prominent politician for many years, coming second in previous presidential
ballot in the late 90s.
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