Niger coup leader Salou Djibo has reiterated that the military will hold elections soon. The African Union and ECOWAS have both condemned the military seizure of power.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
14 January 2011
United Nations News Service
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Members of a joint United Nations-African delegation concluded their two-day visit to Niger today by calling for the holding of free and fair legislative and presidential elections later this month.
"The tripartite delegation encouraged the stakeholders to create the conditions for free, transparent and uncontested elections which will restore constitutional order in Niger," the mission said in a communiqué issued in the capital, Niamey.
The visit by the Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa, Said Djinnit, African Union (AU) Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Vice-President Jean de Dieu Somba was intended to assess efforts by the transitional authorities in organizing elections following last year's coup and a recent wave of arrests.
Campaigning for the presidential election is set to begin tomorrow in the West African nation ahead of the first round of elections on 31 January.
The team commended the interim authorities for keeping the electoral process on schedule despite multiple challenges, and reaffirmed the support of the international community and their respective organizations to "the transition leading to the restoration of democratic rule in the country."
The electoral timetable provides for polls to be held by 6 April, starting with a referendum on a new constitution and culminating with the election of a new president to be inaugurated on 11 April.
During their visit, members met with the transitional head of State, General Salou Djibo, as well as other senior Government officials and representatives of the Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).
They also met with presidential candidates and members of the diplomatic community and the UN system in Niamey.
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