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So Far, Calm Follows Coup in Niger

There has been relative calm since last week's coup in Niger, says Deputy Assistant Secretary of African Affairs William Fitzgerald. He says that though the United States does not support the violent overthrow, if the new government can stay true to its moniker, "Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy," not all hope is lost. Overthrown President Mamadou Tandja had already begun to twist the meaning of the word democracy in previous years as he manipulated Niger's constitution to extend his rule. The new government, which has already dropped their previously imposed curfew, says they would like to see a return of true democracy. Fitzgerald says to do so, the group will need to turn over the government to civilians as soon as possible.