General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Niger’s military ruler, has been sworn in on March 26 as the country’s President for a transitional period of five years.
Tchiani, who took control of the country in 2023 after ousting the elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, assumed office under a new Charter that replaces the existing Constitution.
The Charter outlines a flexible transition period, contingent on the country’s security situation, a significant consideration given Niger’s ongoing struggles with jihadist insurgencies.
In a ceremony held in the capital, Niamey, General Tchiani was also promoted to the rank of army general, the highest military position in Niger. He signed a decree dissolving all political parties in the country, further consolidating military control. Tchiani expressed humility in receiving the new rank and committed to meeting the expectations placed upon him. The five-year transition to democratic rule, according to the new charter, is based on recommendations from a commission that followed national discussions on the country’s future governance.
Niger’s military junta has faced regional backlash, particularly from Ecowas (the Economic Community of West African States), after proposing a three-year transition plan, which Ecowas branded as a provocation. In the face of these tensions, Niger has severed ties with former colonial power France, aligned with Russia, and withdrawn from Ecowas, joining other regional countries under military rule. The junta is currently prosecuting former President Bazoum on charges of high treason and national security breaches, with Bazoum still being detained in the presidential palace. The new charter also promises to protect Niger’s natural resources, ensuring that the country’s wealth benefits its citizens.