Niger, a republic with a population of approximately 15 million, is in transition toward restoring a democratic government following the February military seizure of power that deposed former president Mamadou Tandja and his government. Tandja's presidential mandate ended in December 2009 after serving two consecutive five-year terms; however, he attempted during 2009 to manipulate political events to prolong his rule. Tandja replaced the 1999 constitution, which he could not amend legally, with one that gave more power to the presidency and removed term limits. Disregarding the formal ruling of Niger's Constitutional Court and prodemocracy complaints from the civil society and political parties, Tandja conducted a costly referendum resulting in a new constitution without term limits and a new Sixth Republic that consolidated presidential powers. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) designated a mediator to try to end the political crisis; however, three rounds of discussions failed to break the impasse. On February 18, a military junta deposed Tandja and announced that a new provisional government would be led by the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD). The CSRD invalidated Tandja's constitution, dismissed his appointees, and stated its intention to move promptly to restore democracy, through elections. Under CSRD rule, security forces did not report to civilian authorities.
Human rights abuses included extrajudicial killings and use of excessive force by security forces, poor jail and prison conditions, arbitrary arrest and detention, prolonged pretrial detention, executive interference in the judiciary, restrictions on press freedom, forcible dispersal of demonstrators, restrictions on freedom of movement, official corruption and impunity, societal discrimination and violence against women, female genital mutilation (FGM), trafficking in persons, slavery, and child labor.
The armed conflict between the government and the Tuareg in northern Niger ended following a 2009 peace arrangement brokered by Libya. The subsequent surrender of arms by Tuareg groups was followed by the lifting of the state of alert in the North. During the year there were reports of sporadic acts of "banditry" on main roads and incursions by members of al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) into Nigerien territory. Between March 9 and 21, various delegations from the Tuareg rebel groups including the Movement of Nigeriens for Justice, the Nigerien Patriotic Front, and the Front of Forces for Rectification met with the CSRD president; they reaffirmed their commitment to work on sustaining NIGER 2 peace, to follow through on commitments made during negotiations, and to help strengthen national unity. They urged the CSRD president and the Transition Government of Niger (TGON) to complete the 2009 peace process.
