Mass starvation is never a stabilizing force. Second, and more importantly, President Tandja had angered many Nigeriens in 2009 when he dissolved parliament and enacted constitutional reforms that gave him broad powers with few checks or balances. 
Jambo la pili, na muhimu zaidi, Rais Tandja aliwakasirisha Wa-Niger wengi wakati alipuvunja bunge na kusimika mageuzi ya kikatiba ambayo yalimpa nguvu kubwa zaidi huku kukiwa na udhibiti mdogo.