May 18, 2001

Niger Government Bans Student Protests

By WACHIRA KIGOTHO

Government officials in Niger have blocked demonstrations that were scheduled to be held last week by students demanding the reopening of the University of Niamey.

Amadou Lawel, the minister of higher education, said the demonstrations had been banned for security reasons. However, the decision was denounced by a coalition of 12 opposition parties in Niger as "an autocratic misuse of power by the government" of the West African nation.

Police officers, reinforced by military

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