Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of Niger’s junta, was formally sworn in as the nation’s president on Wednesday, solidifying his control through a new charter that supersedes the country’s constitution. This move establishes a five-year transition period, effectively extending his grip on power until 2030. Tchiani, an army veteran, also received a promotion to the highest military rank of army general and signed a decree dissolving all political parties, further consolidating his authority since the 2023 coup that ousted the elected government.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Niamey, marked the official commencement of the “flexible” five-year transition, as announced by Mahamane Roufai, the government’s secretary general. This decision directly contradicts the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to expedite a return to democratic rule following the 2023 military takeover. The prolonged transition period echoes similar patterns seen in other African nations under military rule, such as Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, where transitions have stretched beyond initial timelines.
The newly implemented transition charter also outlines a provision for a referendum before the establishment of foreign military bases in Niger. However, it grants the president the power to authorize such bases through a decree in emergency situations. This provision is particularly significant given Niger’s current military alliance with Russia, which emerged after the expulsion of US and French troops, who had been long-standing partners. Initially, the junta proposed a three-year transition, but ECOWAS rejected this proposal, deeming it a provocation and threatening military intervention. In response, Niger, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, withdrew from ECOWAS, protesting the severe sanctions imposed by the bloc to enforce a return to democracy.
