US calls for quick return to democracy in Niger

The United States has called for a "speedy return to democracy" in Niger,including transparent elections after a coup in the western African nation.

The United States has called for a “speedy return to democracy” in Niger,including transparent elections after a coup in the western African nation.

“The United States continues to call (for) Niger’s speedy return to democracy and the rule of law,as well as prompt,fair and transparent elections,” State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters yesterday.

Crowley said that the United States was “gratified” by the strong international reaction to the coup,including a “strong statement” by the European Union.

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“We will obviously work closely with our international partners and do everything we can to see democracy returned to Niger as rapidly as possible,” he said.

However,Crowley said that the United States was still assessing the situation and would not yet formally declare that Niger had undergone a coup.

Such a determination would trigger an immediate cutoff in US assistance,but the United States already suspended millions of dollars in aid in December on concerns that President Mamadou Tandja was consolidating power.

The army on Thursday stormed a cabinet meeting,seizing Tandja who had forced through a new constitution last year.

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“We have,on the one hand,expressed our concern about the suspension of the constitution,” Crowley said.

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