Lagos — THE decision of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to suspend Niger Republic on October 20 for its defiance of the ban on the recent legislative elections in that country, marks a major shift in policy of the 16-member bloc and bodes well for the sub-region. Before now, ECOWAS had been accused of inaction, and even of purposelessness.

ECOWAS had at its extra-ordinary summit on October 17 in Abuja, urged President Mamadou Tandja to heed the opposition's request that the controversial elections be delayed. This was to give room for more dialogue. Niger has been engulfed in a political crisis over a referendum in August which allows Tandja to run for another term of office when his current tenure expires in December. The 1999 constitution made the serving of more than two terms impossible and the revision of that article illegal by any means.

President Umaru Yar'Adua had while announcing the suspension of Niger in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS, expressed dismay at the move by the authorities in Niger to further entrench the constitutional illegality currently prevailing in the country. ECOWAS, Yar'Adua said, will not recognize the outcome of the legislative elections. The body will also not support Niger's candidates for elective posts in any of the international organizations.

Unsurprisingly, Tandja and his cohorts appear bent on pursuing his self-succession agenda, ECOWAS sanctions and growing international condemnation notwithstanding. Foreign Minister, Aichatou Mindaoudou said ECOWAS suspension of economic assistance will have no effect on trade between Niger and other countries of the West African alliance. Government spokesman Moctar Mahamane Kassoum, declared that contrary to the image of a power-hungry leader that was being bandied about, Tandja is a man of peace and dialogue who wants to spend more years of service improving the lives of Nigeriens.

Whatever Tandja's apologists may claim, it is now crystal clear that the 71 year-old retired army colonel does not mean well for the uranium-rich, but terribly impoverished country of 15.3 million people. Tandja's desperation to perpetuate himself in office has seen him decimate almost the entire democratic institutions in the country. In one fell swoop, the president on May 26,2009, dissolved parliament after the country's constitutional court ruled against his plans to hold a referendum on whether to allow him a third term in office.

Ironically, though, Tandja, who has a history of coup making, having played a key role in the 1974 coup that brought Seyni Kountche to power, has the distinction of being Niger's first president to be re-elected. Besides, it is on record that as chairman of ECOWAS, from 2005 to 2007, Tandja was noted for resenting tyranny and tenure elongation. Tragically, he has fallen victim to the same curse that has consumed several before him.

As things stand, Tandja has almost approached a point of no return. With his supporters sure to dominate the new parliament which elections the opposition boycotted, Tandja's ultimate objective of altering the constitution and removing presidential term limits is virtually a fait accompli. Expectedly, the opposition and the civil society are being hounded by the security agencies.

Already, the panic occasioned by Tandja's selfish plan has begun to take its toll on Nigeriens. But equally disturbing are the effects of a full blown crisis on the entire region. For Nigeria, the consequences of an implosion in a neighboring country which relies heavily on her for its sustenance, are better imagined than experienced.

Commendable as ECOWAS' efforts at restoring constitutional democracy in Niger are, the body and indeed the international community, must do more by exerting pressure on Tandja and his allies. For ECOWAS in particular, there must be a united front. Anything to the contrary would send the wrong signals to Tandja. It is against this backdrop that ECOWAS' decision to lend Niger 5 billion CFA francs ($11.33m) for whatever reason, leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

The travesty in Niger must not be condoned. Given the band-wagon effect such an immoral political act could have on other leaders in the sub-region, the current ECOWAS leadership must do everything legitimately possible to ensure that Tandja retraces his steps. Perhaps, it is not unlikely that if the body had moved in when Tandja first dropped hint of elongating his tenure in May 2009, the present impasse could have been averted.

Aside from tightening the noose around Tandja's neck by way of severe sanctions, ECOWAS countries with close ties to China, Niger's influential trade partner and chief exploiter of its uranium, should tell China to exert pressure on the president. Equally worthy of consideration is the idea of a soft landing for Tandja.

Nigeriens must take their destiny in their hands. They must remain firm in their struggle to restore genuine democracy in their country. Any move that would result in Niger turning into a pariah state must be resisted.