Niger Republic coup leader sworn in as president for five years 

Niger’s military ruler, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, has been sworn in as the country’s president for a transitional period of five years.

Gen Tchiani, who led the July 2023 coup that ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum, assumed office on Wednesday under a new charter that replaces the West African nation’s constitution.

Alongside his inauguration, he was promoted to the highest military rank of army general and issued a decree dissolving all political parties.

During the ceremony in Niamey, Gen Tchiani addressed his military promotion, stating, “I receive this distinction with great humility… I will strive to live up to the trust placed in me.”

The transition period to democratic rule is aligned with recommendations from a national commission, though the newly established charter specifies that the five-year timeframe remains “flexible” depending on the country’s security situation. 

Niger has faced persistent jihadist attacks, which the junta cited as a key justification for the military takeover.

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Niger’s coup followed a wave of similar military takeovers in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso. All four nations have distanced themselves from former colonial power France, strengthening ties with Russia instead. Except for Guinea, they have also withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).

Relations between Niger and Ecowas deteriorated after the junta initially proposed a three-year transition plan, which the regional bloc rejected as a “provocation,” even threatening military intervention before later stepping back.

Meanwhile, Gen Tchiani’s administration continues to prosecute former President Bazoum on charges of high treason and endangering national security. 

Bazoum remains detained in the presidential palace alongside his wife, while their son was granted provisional release in January.

According to the BBC, state-run news agency ANP reported that Gen Tchiani defended the new charter, stating that it aligns with traditional constitutions while also introducing “unprecedented measures to protect our natural resources so that Nigeriens truly benefit from the exploitation of their wealth.”

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