Niger leaders sign pact to further goal of democracy

Three high-ranking officials in Niger's ruling junta were fired from their posts this week,
indicating a possible rift at the heart of the military clique that seized control of this desert country in a February coup.

The military had promised to hold elections before the end of the year, but the date of the proposed vote has since been pushed back several times.

All of this happened as other members of the junta, along with officials from the transitional parliament and other political players in the country signed a pact here in Rome laying down the basis for a peaceful transition through institutions elected by the people.

“The country is in transition,” says Mario Giro, director for International Affairs for the Sant’Egidio Community, which organized the meeting.

“We want to strengthen this transition, so they can go back,” he told Vatican Radio. “They have a certain democratic experience, go back to democracy after the military coup of February this year.”

Giro says Sant’Egidio is trying to help create an atmosphere where true reconciliation can happen.

“There is a lot of suspicion. We have to create a proper environment of confidence,” he said. “We are providing a series of confidence measures to reach this point.” Listen: