In a region where coups and political instability are as common as flies on starving baby's faces, there are positive signs that the military junta running Niger will soon hand over power to a civilian government. In February 2010, members of the armed forces captured President Tandja and members of his cabinet and took control of the country. Now they say a consultative council including members of all sectors of the political and military spectrum is being established under long time opposition leader Amadou to review the controversial constitutional changes made by Tandja in 2009. The body is also being tasked with arranging fresh elections; however, in another positive move the military junta (led by Salou Djibo, pictured here) have stated that no members of the military or the consultative council may run in the next election. Its not all good, it never is. There are concerns over the status of the Tuareg rebels. A delegation of the rebels arrived in Niamey in early April but faced less than a warm welcome by the ruling junta. Long time rebel leader, Rhissa Ag Boula, and Kindo Zada, an ex-Niger army officer who deserted the military to join the Tuareg rebellion in 2007 were immediately arrested by the local security forces. The rebels, who signed peace agreements with the Tandja government in 2009, have not responded but we dont think this is necessarily a bad thing. The rebels are being shown that the junta will not negotiate with murderers (Ag Bougla has faced a murder rap since 2008), turncoats or other individuals showing 'anti-Nigerien' qualities. Who knows, the country may yet turn things around and with the current hard man and protector of the people, Salou Djibo, at the helm who would bet against them.
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