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UPDATE 1-Niger leader undermining rule of law - White House
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By Doug Palmer
WASHINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. government voiced concern on Wednesday over actions taken by Niger's President Mamadou Tandja to extend his rule in the West African country.
"These decisions undermine Niger's efforts over the last ten years to advance good governance and the rule of law," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
Tandja responded to the rejection by Niger's highest court of his plan to seek at least another three years in power by sacking the judges and naming a new Cabinet.
Niger's main opposition leader, Mahamadou Issoufou, the runner-up to Tandja in elections in 1999 and 2004, was briefly detained on Tuesday after calling for the military to disobey orders.
Opposition calls for a general strike in Niger were largely ignored on Wednesday, with business continuing as normal in much of the uranium-exporting nation despite the intensifying row over the president's bid to extend his rule.
"We are encouraged that the African Union has sent a delegation to Niger to attempt to find resolution to this political crisis," Gibbs said.
"We will continue to consult with our partners in the region and monitor the situation in Niger closely."
The European Union warned Tandja on Tuesday that his bid to stay in power could threaten aid to Niger, a former French colony and one of the world's poorest countries.
Next week, U.S. President Barack Obama will visit another West African country, Ghana, which he plans to highlight as a model of good governance for the region.
Ghana, a former British colony, held a closely contested presidential election which saw power peacefully transferred to opposition leader John Atta Mills in January.
U.S. concern about the situation in Niger comes at a time when Washington is putting pressure on Honduras to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya to office.
Zelaya, who took office in 2006 and had been due to leave power in 2010, was forced out over his push to extend presidential mandates beyond a single term. (Editing by John O'Callaghan)
