New Niger president moves to pardon coup plotters

Niamey, Niger (PANA) - The Niger government will submit to the National Assembly a bill granting amnesty to perpetrators of the 18 February, 2010, coup that ousted President Mamadou Tanja, PANA learnt from official sources.

The bill seeks to meet the provisions of Article 185 of the Constitution of 25 November, 2010, which states that "an amnesty is granted to perpetrators, principals and accomplices of the coup of February 18, 2010, " the government said in a press release.

President Tandja, wanting to cling to power for at least three more years after ruling the country for a decade, was overthrown by a military coup led by General Djibo.

A Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD) subsequently ruled the country until 7 April before handing over power to the newly-elected president Mahamadou Issoufou.
-0- PANA SA/JSG/JEN/VAO 5May2011