Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of Niger’s junta, was officially sworn in as the country’s president on Wednesday, for a five-year transitional period, following a new charter that supersedes the existing constitution.
This decision effectively dismissed efforts by the regional organization to expedite a return to democratic governance after the coup in 2023.
According to Mahamane Roufai, the government’s secretary-general, the five-year transition period commenced on Wednesday
He was also promoted to the country’s highest military rank of Army General, and signed a decree ordering that all political parties be dissolved.
During a ceremony in the capital, Niamey, Gen Tchiani said of his new military rank, “I receive this distinction with great humility… I will strive to live up to the trust placed in me.”
The transition to democratic rule was in line with recommendations that a commission made following national discussions.
This five-year time period is “flexible” depending on the country’s security status, the new charter said.
Niger has been plagued by jihadist attacks for many years, one of the issues junta leaders cited when staging their coup in June, 2023.
The military takeover followed a string of others in the West Africa region, including neighbouring Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
All four countries have severed ties with former colonial power France and forged new alliances with Russia.
And all except Guinea, have pulled out of ECOWAS, following pressure, including sanctions, to revert to democracy.
