Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Referendum on the Adoption of the New Constitution in the Republic of Niger

August 12, 2009
Japanese

On August 7, the National Independent Election Commission of the Republic of Niger announced that a new constitution was adopted by majority vote at the referendum held on August 4.
The international community has raised doubts about the constitutionality of the adoption of the new constitution by referendum, and expressed concern about the political disorder created with respect to the referendum, including the dissolution by the President of the Republic of the Constitutional Court and the Parliament.
The Government of Japan believes that, for political stability and development in Niger, it is vital to prevent the democratization, which advanced during the recent years, from going backward. Therefore, Japan urges President Mamadou Tandja to work to resolve the current political confusion through dialogue with all the political stakeholders concerned and expend even greater efforts towards the strengthening of Niger’s democracy. From this stand point, the Government of Japan also expects that the parliamentary elections scheduled by October be organized in a peaceful, fair and transparent manner.

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