Opposition backs transition pledge

After the talks with the NRC, a body entirely comprised of army officers, the country's 11 civilian opposition parties were reported on Tuesday to have urged their supporters to back the pledged transition to civilian rule. Government radio quoted a statement by the opposition alliance saying it "calls on its militants to work for the success of the democratic transition and the holding of free and fair elections". News organisations reported that the alliance refrained from condemning the army coup and the suspension of constitutional rule. It hoped too the army would manage the transition showing "respect for human rights, basic liberties and democratic values". The country's human rights league also expressed its support for the NRC saying it hoped the transition to civilian rule would be successful. AFP reported that Niger's two main trade unions, the Union des syndicats des travailleurs du Niger (USTN) and the Confederation nationale des travailleurs (CNT) had, however, "condemned" Mainassara's assassination. Analysts said it was too soon to compare the takeover to neighbouring Nigeria's transition to democracy after the death of its military leader last year. Reuters quoted some politicians as saying that the removal of Mainassara, who himself overthrew the country's first democratically elected government, could pave the way for a return to democracy.