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UN chief condemns Niger coup, as junta tightens grip

20 February 2010 21:10 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. UN chief Ban Ki-moon added his voice to international condemnation of a coup that toppled Nigerâ€™s president, but in the capital Niamey thousands celebrated the end of Mamadou Tandjaâ€™s rule, APA reports citing AFP.

"The secretary general condemns the coup dâ€™etat that took place in Niger" and "appeals for calm and for the respect of the rule of law and of the human rights of all Nigerians," his office said in a statement issued Friday.

But thousands of people took to the streets to celebrate the coup and an opposition alliance called on people to show their support for the new junta in a rally in the capital Saturday.

Earlier Friday, Nigerâ€™s new military rulers had lifted the curfew declared just hours after Thursdayâ€™s coup, in which at least three soldiers died.

The African Union, whose leader Jean Ping had already condemned the takeover earlier in the day, announced it was suspending Niger from its ranks Friday. Related article: Mamadou Tandja, ex-soldier who casts shadow over Niger.

Niger has been embroiled in political crisis for nearly a year since Tandja, who was in power for more than a decade, launched his bid to extend his rule.

Talks between Nigerâ€™s government and the opposition to end the political standoff were suspended last week, having repeatedly stalled since they began on December 21.