Niger vows to arrest exiled opposition leaders

[ccharles000]

Niger has reactivated arrest warrants against three exiled opposition leaders - including a former president.

The move jeopardises talks aimed at ending a crisis sparked when President Mamadou Tandja changed the constitution so he could stand for a third term.

Opposition delegates were taking part in talks because the government agreed to suspend the arrest warrants.

This week regional group Ecowas, mediating the talks, said it no longer recognised Mr Tandja's authority.

And on Wednesday the US suspended aid and announced it was imposing travel bans on senior officials.

Had he honoured his term limits, Mr Tandja would have stepped down as president on Tuesday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8429739.stm