Niger

Opposition and civil society groups in Niger have reacted angrily to a decision by President Mamadou Tandja to dissolve parliament after his plans to stand for a third term, by changing the constitution, were apparently thwarted by the country's highest court.

Mr Tandja, who is seeking to stay on after his second term in office expires at the end of this year, dissolved the parliament by decree on yesterday, some six months before elections are due.

From Niamey the BBC's Idy Barou reports.