Comments:Niger coup ousts president

Back to article

This page is for commentary on the news. If you wish to point out a problem in the article (e.g. factual error, etc), please use its regular collaboration page instead. Comments on this page do not need to adhere to the Neutral Point of View policy. Please remain on topic and avoid offensive or inflammatory comments where possible. Try thought-provoking, insightful, or controversial. Civil discussion and polite sparring make our comments pages a fun and friendly place. Please think of this when posting.

Use the "Start a new discussion" button just below to start a new discussion. If the button isn't there, wait a few seconds and click this link: Refresh.

Start a new discussion

Contents

Thread titleRepliesLast modified
Kill him008:28, 20 February 2010

The former president was acting without lawful authority in assuming various powers to himself and incubating a dictatorship. He in fact committed the first offense against democracy and the rule of law. Though there are reasons to question the actions of the military (insofar as they have not immediately acted to restore the proper authority of the law), that the actions of the former president were a treason against the government is not a matter of dispute. The authority of government rests in its laws and institutions. A president who tramples on those institutions is betraying his duty to the law, the source of principled authority for government.

Treasons of this kind have resulted in appalling loss of life from misrule on the African continent. They are a uniquely injurious form of treachery. Here there is a unique opportunity to suitably punish an odious criminal in circumstances that leave no doubt as to his guilt (having declared himself to be this kind of traitor in various official pronouncements entitled to factual deference). I am greatly saddened for liberty that he is apparently "safe and well." Since he is presently in military custody I can still take some hope that he may yet be killed.

209.30.95.200 (talk)08:28, 20 February 2010