27th March , 2025
Mercy Emmanuel
News desk
General Abdourahamane Tchiani has been officially sworn in as Niger’s president for a transitional period of five years, cementing his leadership after seizing power in a 2023 coup.
Gen Tchiani, who led the ousting of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, took office on Wednesday under a newly established charter that replaces the country’s constitution. Alongside his swearing-in, he was promoted to the highest military rank of army general and signed a decree dissolving all political parties.
During the ceremony in the capital, Niamey, Gen Tchiani expressed humility over his new military rank, stating, “I receive this distinction with great humility… I will strive to live up to the trust placed in me.” The five-year transitional period, as outlined in the new charter, remains “flexible” depending on the country’s security situation.
Niger has long struggled with jihadist violence, a key justification cited by the military junta for last year’s coup. The takeover followed similar military-led government changes in neighboring Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso. All four nations have distanced themselves from their former colonial ruler, France, and strengthened ties with Russia. Additionally, except for Guinea, they have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Niger’s relationship with ECOWAS deteriorated after the junta initially proposed a three-year transition to democratic rule— a timeline the regional bloc deemed unacceptable, even threatening military intervention before later retracting.
Meanwhile, Gen Tchiani’s government is pursuing legal action against former President Bazoum, accusing him of high treason and endangering national security. Bazoum remains under house arrest in the presidential palace with his wife, while his son was granted provisional release in January.
