Niger’s junta will keep in energy for no less than half a decade extra if it accepts a plan offered on Thursday, which doesn’t bar the nation’s ruling generals from working in any future election.
A “national convention” was tasked in February with drafting a brand new constitution outlining the phrases of the handover of energy again to civilians following the July 2023 coup that ousted democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum.
Junta chief General Abdourahamane Tiani — who may have the ultimate say on the proposal — proclaimed the constitution’s presentation as a “fresh start” for the west African nation confronted with jihadist violence.
The nationwide conference befell from February 15 to 19 and included 716 civil and army contributors, with the constitution’s presentation broadcast on state tv.
The handover “will take place over a period of 60 months, that’s to say five years from the date of the charter’s adoption”, stated conference participant Bibata Niandou, watched over by Tiani.
“This is an unprecedented process, which offers realistic hope for a fresh start for our country,” General Tiani informed the ceremony to thunderous applause.
The proposals nevertheless present for the transition’s length to “evolve” in keeping with varied issues, notably “the security situation”.
– ‘National dialogue’ –
Niger is one in every of a number of nations in Africa’s Sahel area the place the military has seized energy in recent times within the face of persistent assaults by jihadists and different armed teams.
Shortly after the coup Tiani proclaimed an “inclusive national dialogue” to stipulate the junta’s governing priorities and lay down the length of its time period in energy.
At the time Tiani talked about a most length of three years, however he has not addressed the difficulty since.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rejected the three-year timeline.
Niger, together with its junta-ruled neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, left the union this 12 months, accusing it of being thrall to former colonial ruler France.
Headed by conventional chief Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, the charter-drafting fee additionally gathers former ministers, lecturers, attorneys, troopers, advisers to General Tiani, non secular leaders and figures drawn from civil society.
Djingarey pointed to the “possibility of the leaders” of the army authorities “to stand in future elections”.
– Coup ‘amnesty’ –
Among its varied proposals, the constitution notably proposes “an amnesty for the authors of the coup d’etat of July 26, 2023” and bestowing the title of “President of the Republic” on Tiani for his “leadership” in reclaiming the previous French colony’s “sovereignty”.
It additionally suggests dissolving the greater than 170 current political events in Niger, who’ve presently suspended actions, and creating a brand new events code.
The constitution additionally hints at a task in setting out the transition’s size for the Alliance of Sahel States, a defence pact between Niger and its neighbouring allies Mali and Burkina Faso.
The three have lower ties with France, forcing French troops to depart their respective territories and favouring nearer relations with Russia.
The conference additionally proposes the creation of a brand new structure to switch the one in place previous to the 2023 coup, and reflecting Niger’s “socio-cultural values” and recognising Islam because the “religion of the majority” whereas respecting the liberty of different religions.
Niger’s bar affiliation declined to participate within the conference, whereas worldwide media retailers weren’t given accreditation to cowl the ceremony.