Niger declares strike illegal
A Niger court yesterday banned a 48 hour general strike called by the African nation's seven main trade unions to protest against President Mamadou Tandja's plans to extend his term, state-run media said.
But the unions said they knew nothing of the court order and maintained the call for the strike which was due to start Thursday. Tandja, 71, should step down on December 22 but has called a referendum for August 4 which if approved could allow him to stay in office until at least 2012.
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