Niger presidential candidate denied release from prison

Hama Amadou, a major opposition figure approved to stand in Niger's February elections just two days ago, failed on Monday in an attempt to gain release from prison in a plea to the country's appeals court. The opposition figure was among 15 candidates that Niger's constitutional court approved on Saturday to stand in presidential elections in the uranium-producing West African country. The appeals court did not give a reason for its decision, and Amadou can appeal to the supreme court.