Government (Niger)
==================


     Long-form name:
         Republic of Niger
     Type:
         as of November 1991, transition government appointed by national reform
         conference; scheduled to turn over power to democratically elected
         government in January 1993
     Capital:
         Niamey
     Administrative divisions:
         7 departments (departements, singular - departement); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso,
         Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, Zinder
     Independence:
         3 August 1960 (from France)
     Constitution:
         December 1989 constitution revised November 1991 by National Democratic
         Reform Conference
     Legal system:
         based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted
         compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
     National holiday:
         Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
     Executive branch:
         president (ceremonial), prime minister (interim), Cabinet
     Legislative branch:
         National Assembly
     Judicial branch:
         State Court (Cour d'Etat), Court of Appeal (Cour d'Apel)
     Leaders:
       Chief of State:
         President Brig. Gen. Ali SAIBOU (since 14 November 1987); ceremonial post
         since national conference (1991)
       Head of Government:
         Interim Prime Minister Amadou CHEIFFOU (since November 1991)
     Political parties and leaders:
         National Movement of the Development Society (MNSD-NASSARA), Tanda MAMADOU;
         Niger Progressive Party - African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA), Harou KOUKA;
         Union of Popular Forces for Democracy and Progress (UDFP-SAWABA), Djibo
         BAKARY; Niger Democratic Union (UDN-SAWABA), Mamoudou PASCAL; Union of
         Patriots, Democrats, and Progressives (UPDP), Andre SALIFOU; Niger Social
         Democrat Party (PSDN-ALHERI), Mallam Adji WAZIRI; Niger Party for Democracy
         and Socialism (PNDS-TARAYA), Issoufou MAHAMADOU; Democratic and Social
         Convention (CDS-RAHAMA), Mahamane OUSMANE; Union for Democracy and Progress
         (UDP), Bello TCHIOUSSO; Union for Democracy and Social Progress
         (UDPS-AMANA), Akoli DAOUEL; Masses Union for Democratic Action (UMAD-AIKI),
         Belko GARBA; Worker's Liberation Party (PLT), Idi Ango OUMAROU; Convention
         for Social Rehabilitation (CRS), Abdoul Karim SEYNI; Popular Movement for
         Democracy in Niger (MPDN), Abdou SANDA; Popular Front for National
         Liberation (FPLN), Diallo SABO; Republican Party for Freedom and Progress in
         Niger (PRLPN), Alka ALMOU; other parties forming
     Suffrage:
         universal adult at age 18
     Elections:
       President:
         President Ali SAIBOU has been in office since December 1989, but the
         presidency is now a largely ceremonial position