Military coup in Niger

In Niger on Feb. 18, a military junta seized control of the government and deposed president Mamadou Tandja and his ministers. A 4-hour gun battle at the presidential palace in Niamey ended with the captivity of Tandja and at least three soldiers dead.

President Tandja has been unpopular since he changed the constitution to extend his term of office by three years, delayed elections indefinitely and dissolved parliament when they protested. At press time, the new government had not set a date for new elections.