Niger coup ftw

[Cain]

See, Neocons, this is what toppling an evil dictator (in the making, in this case) is all about.

Also, srsly, the guys who led this coup are pretty cool.  They pulled off another coup in 1999 - that time against a military dictator - and took him out behind a shed somewhere and executed him for crimes against the people.  They then handed power over to civilian authorities, only a few months after the coup, and let a totally free and fair election take place.  Unfortunately, the guy who was elected was the guy they are now overthrowing, but such is life.  Also, the French are pissed, because now they may not get sweet, sweet uranium, and the Chinese are worried for their oil contracts.

All in all, this counts as a win for everything I like in the world: freedom, deposed tyrants and upset geopolitical actors.

[Freeky]

That sounds like vicotry to me.

[Kai]

The article makes it read like the junta is bad/wrong.

Of course, these same people would be applauding a coup of a democratically elected leader who shows balls in getting his country what it needs....but of course there's no South American country like that....nope.

[Cain]

Well, basically, my understanding is this:

the former President passed a change in constitution last year which would allow him to serve beyond the minimum two terms - indefinitely in theory.  However, the high amount of votes in favour of this (90%, at a time when a lot of people are getting poorer and there are various armed rebellions against his rule) seems untenable, and the opposition party have vigorously accused him of fraud.

The Niger Supreme Court ruled this ammendment and expansion of his powers was unconstitutional, so in return the President dismissed the entire Court.  The west African economic bloc suspended Niger because it said its last election was marred by corruption and fraud. America suspended aid packages last year, it was so concerned about the situation.  And then the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy came along and did their coup.

France is butthurt because its likely the socialists in Niger will win the next election now, which could threaten their foreign investments in the country, including uranium (second biggest uranium mine in the world is currently being built there).  Various international financial groups are also worried because while Tandja didn't give a shit about his peoples poverty, he was very good at paying back Niger's large loans.

[Iason Ouabache]

[Requia ☣]

His second term in office expired in December, but was extended to allow him to complete major investment projects.

So ignoring the process of democracy is ok if money is at stake!

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

[Da6s]

The Fark headline for this was:

Coup succeeds in detaining Niger president, exciting teabaggers who misread the headline

[Jenne]

The Fark headline for this was:

Coup succeeds in detaining Niger president, exciting teabaggers who misread the headline

[East Coast Hustle]