Junta Sets Timetable for Vote, Civilian Rule

Niger’s new military junta has announced a timetable for democratic elections and a hand-over to civilian rule before the end of the year. Parliamentary and presidential elections will be held in November, and the new president will be sworn into office Dec. 31, junta leader Daouda Malam Wanke announced in a radio broadcast. The announcement came less than two weeks after the junta’s takeover following the assassination of President Ibrahim Bare Mainassara. The new transitional government ordered the Supreme Court and National Assembly dissolved, the constitution suspended and February’s local elections annulled.