EU, France warn Niger's leader on power plan

The EU warned Niger’s president on Tuesday his bid to extend his stay in office could threaten aid to the impoverished West African state, while leading investor France voiced criticism.

President Mamadou Tandja’s plan to call an Aug. 4 referendum on the move has triggered street protests in Niger and prompted growing international concern over a possible back-sliding on democracy in the uranium-exporting country.
Former colonial power France, whose state-owned energy firm Areva is spending 1.2 billion euros on what could be Africa’s largest uranium mine, expressed its concerns.

“We are worried by President Tandja’s decision to dissolve the constitutional court, which is a negative sign for democracy in Niger and the stability of the country,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“France … is following developments in the situation with the closest attention,” it added.

Reuters