The Lamb is Risen

Political cartoons are a fantastic glimpse into the public opinion. On Saturday the 20th, when I went to the rally for the new regime, copies of the cartoon below were being sold on every street corner. Before we get to the cartoon, however, you need a little history.

Last May, President Mamadou Tandja wanted to pass a referendum to amend the constitution of Niger. His second term as President was due to end on December 22 of 2009. The constitution at the time had a two term limit for the president, much like America's. Should the referendum be successful he would be allowed a third mandate of 3 years. Parliament ruled that such a referendum would be unconstitutional and therefore illegal. Tandja shocked the nation by dissolving parliament on May 26, 2009. His actions were condemned by the Supreme Court, which was swiftly dissolved as well. On August 4, 2009, the referendum for the constitutional amendment was put to a vote. It passed with 92% approval.

Everyone expected that December 23, 2009, would be a day of action and intrigue. Since December 22 was Tandja's last day in office per the old constitution, the 23 marked the birth of Niger's 6th Republic. The protestors rested and the demonstrators sat silent. On February 2nd Tandja issued the following statement in reference to the bygone 5th Republic during a radio broadcast:

"The lamb has been slaughtered. It is finished. Nigeriens who are outside the country have nothing more to wait for. They should return. The lamb has been slaughtered."

Now the political cartoon. Tandja is drawn on the right and the military leaders are on the left. The military men are saying, "You thought the lamb was dead. He has risen and his coming for you."

Tandja, who has left a shoe behind as he flees, is responding, "Oh no, I didn't do a good job of killing the lamb."