Niger’s transitional leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, was officially sworn in today as the country’s president, marking the start of a five-year transitional period under a new charter, replacing the existing constitution.
This move effectively dismisses efforts by the regional bloc ECOWAS to expedite a return to democratic rule following the military coup in June 2023.
According to Mahamane Roufai, Niger’s secretary-general, the transition officially began on Wednesday.
Tiani, a veteran military officer, was also promoted to the rank of army general, further cementing his grip on power.
Initially, the transitional government proposed a three-year transition, but ECOWAS rejected it as provocative and threatened military intervention.
In response, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, withdrew from the bloc in protest against strict sanctions meant to pressure them into restoring civilian rule.
Critics argue that his government has imposed restrictions on civil liberties and has struggled to contain the jihadi insurgency, which they cited as justification for the coup.