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Niger leader barred from new term Niger leader dissolves parliament
(about 9 hours later)
Niger's President Mamadou Tandja has been rebuffed in a bid to extend his time in office for another five years. Niger's President, Mamadou Tandja, has dissolved the uranium-rich country's parliament a day after his bid for a third term in office was ruled illegal.
The nation's constitutional court has ruled it would be illegal for Mr Tandja to hold a referendum on a change in the law, to let him go on as head of state. He assumed executive powers after the constitutional court turned down his attempt to extend his time in power.
The court said Mr Tandja was violating his oath of office, in which he had promised to uphold the constitution. The court had found it would be illegal for Mr Tandja to hold a referendum on a change in the law, to allow him to continue as head of state.
The president is due to retire later this year, when he completes the present maximum of 10 years in power. Opponents have said they fear a return to dictatorship if Mr Tandja stays on.
He says the people of Niger want him to stay and plans a plebiscite on 5 June, but opponents have warned of a return to dictatorship. "By virtue of a presidential decree, the National Assembly is dissolved," state radio said, reported AFP news agency.
Elected in 1999, then again five years later, Mr Tandja, 70, has several times promised to quit in December this year. President Tandja is due to complete the permitted maximum of a decade in power later this year.
Widespread opposition
He has insisted the people of Niger want him to stay beyond the end of his second five-year term.
But his plans to remain in office have been met with widespread opposition by political and civil groups.
The constitutional court said Mr Tandja, 70, was breaking his oath of office by trying to hang on.
"The president... cannot seek the amendment of the constitution without violating his oath," the court said in a statement on Monday.
Mr Tandja was first elected in 1999, and then again five years later.
He had previously promised to quit in December this year, a month after presidential elections are due to be held.