Niger Swears In Coup Leader As President
The leader of Niger’s military junta, Abdourahamane Tchiani, was sworn in on Wednesday as the country’s president for a transition period of five years, under a newly adopted charter that replaces the nation’s constitution.
The move, reported by Associated Press, defies pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has been pushing for a quicker return to civilian rule following the July 2023 coup that ousted the elected government.
According to Secretary General Mahamane Roufai, the five-year transition period begins immediately as outlined by the new charter endorsed at a recent national conference in the capital, Niamey.
Tchiani, a longtime army officer, was also promoted to the highest military rank of army general, further solidifying his hold on power.
By the end of the transition period in 2030, he would have led the country for approximately seven years, following the pattern of prolonged rule of military leaders in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.
Initially, Niger’s junta had proposed a three-year transition, but ECOWAS dismissed the plan as unacceptable and even threatened military intervention.
In response to sanctions imposed by the bloc, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, withdrew from ECOWAS earlier this year.
Critics argue that under military rule, civil liberties have been suppressed.
The junta has struggled to address the persistent jihadist insurgency, which they initially cited as justification for seizing power.