A leading Niger human rights activisthas vowed to continue his opposition to President Mamadou Tandja despite what heclaims to be threats of assassination from security agents.
Marou Amadou,chairman of the United Front for the Protection of Democracy (FUSAD) said hehas come out of hiding to fight for democracy.
Amadou went into hiding shortlyafter being released by a judge following his incarceration at the Koutoukalemaximum security prison for defying President Tandja's decree.
Amadou said that he came out of hiding to ensure Nigeriens don'tlive in fear.
"Ournational police have received the order to take me not to court, but to torture(me). So, our comrades have decided they cannot let police take me again," Amadou said.
He said the police oftenarrest people without any warrant.
"When the police decided totake me, it is never with a mandate, never. Always when they take me it's afterI'm in jail that they decided to have the reason why they take me. So, we havedecided that we cannot accept these things again," he said.
Amadou said he wouldcontinue opposing the Tandja administration despite alleged threats of tortureand assassination.
"I know that they are notvery happy with what I am doing. I know that they can have the intention tokill me, but I have decided that my country must have a democratic life forfreedom and justice," Amadou said.
He said Nigeriens aredetermined to fight for their freedom.
"People have decided to givetheir life for the opportunity that you can actually live in freedom justice.So, it is an engagement and I know that we can have some success," he said.
Amadou said Nigeriens willnot live under what he calls President Tandja's tyrannical motives.
He described as regrettablePresident Tandja's constitutional amendment.
"It is all the republic ofTandja who is illegal and illegitimate. So if you participate in his parliamentaryelection what do you do? You legitimize this republic ? you know that," hesaid.
Amadou accused PresidentTandja of subverting the constitution.
"He is the product of theviolation of our constitution. He is not the king of Niger, he is a citizen ofNiger and he has no power. We are in a system of separation of power," Amadousaid.
He said there areindications that President Tandja wants to turn Niger into a Kingdom where heis the king who rules forever.