Human rights activists and journalists in Ghana on August 3, 2009 converged at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra for a public forum to expose the Ghanaian public to the political situation in Niger which has brought in its wake dire consequences for democratic institutions in the country including the media.

The forum on the theme “Niger-Democracy Under Threat” was aimed at reminding the public of the need to prevent another violent conflict in West Africa, which has in the last decade experienced a number of civil wars with devastating humanitarian consequences.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) organised the forum which coincided with the controversial referendum by the authorities in Niger to adopt a new constitution that will extend President Tandja’s stay in office beyond the expiration of his second-five-year term in December 2009.

President Tandja has assumed emergency powers, which have enabled him to dissolve parliament and the Constitutional Court. The president has through the Conseil Supérieur de la Communication, the media regulatory body, placed several restrictions on the media, particularly the electronic media, which has been banned from holding any live discussion programmes on the prevailing situation.

Addressing forum participants, a Nigerien journalist and a Programme Officer of MFWA, Saidou Arji noted that the situation has left in its wake dire consequences for media and freedom of expression in the country. Arji said the situation in Niger is a recipe for disaster and has created a deadlock that could explode in the impoverished country, as a greater percentage of Niger’s budget is from donor funding.

In a statement to the forum signed by Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, Secretary General of the Lome-based African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) reiterated its call on ECOWAS, AU, UN and the international community to rally behind the people of Niger and ensure that President Tandja respects international protocols on good governance.
Emmanuel Bombande, the Executive Director of the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), who chaired the forum, reminded West African leaders about the volatile nature of the Sahel region. He said it is a haven of mercenaries and armed groups who could take advantage of the situation to unleash mayhem on Nigeriens.

Issued by the MFWA, Accra on August 5, 2009.

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression.

For further information, please Contact:
Prof. Kwame Karikari
Executive Director
MFWA
P.O. Box LG 730,
Legon
Accra, Ghana
Tel 233-21 242470
Fax 233 -21 221084
Email: [email][email protected]