New York - The UN Security Council yesterday condemned the military coup that killed Niger's president and called on junta leaders to restore the "constitutional order".
"Members of the Security Council condemn the assassination of President Ibrahim Mainassara Bare and the coup d'etat in Niger," Council President Alain Dejammet of France told reporters. Niger's new strongman, Maj Daouda Mallam Wanke, promised to hand power back to civilian leaders within nine months. Maj Wanke was the commander of the presidential guard when its men shot Mr Mainassara dead at a military base near Niamey on Friday.