Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has officially been sworn in as the country’s president for a five-year transitional period. This follows his seizure of power in 2023, when he led a military coup that ousted the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
On Wednesday, during a ceremony held in the capital, Niamey, General Tchiani took the presidential oath under a new transitional charter that replaces the country’s previous constitution. In addition to assuming the presidency, General Tchiani was promoted to the rank of army general, the highest military position in Niger, and signed a decree dissolving all political parties in the country.
Addressing the crowd during the ceremony, Tchiani expressed humility at receiving the military honor and promised to work hard to live up to the trust placed in him by the people. “I receive this distinction with great humility… I will strive to live up to the trust placed in me,” he said.
The transition to democratic rule, however, is subject to the security situation in Niger, according to the new charter. While the transitional period is set for five years, it is described as “flexible” and could extend depending on the state of the country’s security. This provision comes amid ongoing threats from jihadist groups, which have plagued the country for years.
Niger’s military coup follows a growing trend of junta takeovers in the West African region. Countries such as Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso have also witnessed similar military coups in recent years. These four nations, all now governed by military juntas, have severed ties with their former colonial ruler, France, and have formed new alliances with Russia, in a bid to shift their geopolitical orientation.
Additionally, Niger and the other junta-led countries, except Guinea, have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc that has long promoted democratic governance and regional stability. Niger’s relationship with ECOWAS became particularly strained following the coup, as the junta proposed a three-year transition to democratic rule. ECOWAS, in response, condemned this proposal as a “provocation” and initially threatened to use force to intervene in Niger. However, the bloc later backed down from its threat of military action.
The country’s security situation is a major factor behind the military’s actions. Niger has long been struggling with the rise of jihadist groups, particularly in the country’s western and southeastern regions, where attacks have disrupted communities and displaced thousands of people. The junta has repeatedly cited these security challenges as one of the primary reasons for the coup, arguing that the previous government failed to effectively address the growing threat.
As part of the post-coup political landscape, General Tchiani’s government is prosecuting former President Mohamed Bazoum on charges of high treason and undermining national security. Bazoum, who was elected in 2021, is still being held under house arrest in the presidential palace in Niamey, alongside his wife. However, his son was granted provisional release in January.
Tchiani’s administration has accused Bazoum of being complicit in a plot to undermine national security, although these charges have not been substantiated. The military government has insisted that its actions are necessary to restore peace and stability in the country, while critics argue that the coup and the detention of Bazoum are an affront to democratic norms.
The new transitional charter under which General Tchiani assumes power is designed to provide a framework for governance while promising a return to democratic rule in the future. In his speech, General Tchiani emphasized that the new charter was consistent with Niger’s traditional constitutional frameworks but included “unprecedented measures” aimed at protecting the country’s natural resources.
“We are putting in place measures to ensure that Nigeriens truly benefit from the exploitation of our wealth,” Tchiani stated. Niger, which is rich in uranium, gold, and other minerals, has long faced challenges in ensuring that the country’s resources benefit its citizens rather than foreign corporations. The junta’s pledge to safeguard these resources has been met with cautious optimism by some Nigeriens, although others remain skeptical of the military’s ability to deliver on these promises.
The coup in Niger, like in other West African countries that have experienced similar takeovers, has raised concerns about the future of democracy in the region. Critics of military rule argue that while the security situation in Niger may justify some degree of government intervention, the removal of an elected leader and the dissolution of political parties represent significant steps backward for democracy.
While the military government has insisted that it will ultimately restore democratic governance, the timeline for this return remains unclear. The flexible nature of the five-year transition period means that the political landscape could remain in flux for the foreseeable future.
The economic and social impacts of the coup are also deeply felt by the people of Niger. With the military government in power, there are concerns that international aid and investments may be cut off, and that the country could face further economic isolation, particularly from Western countries and international financial institutions. In the past, Niger has relied heavily on foreign aid to support its development programs and address the needs of its population.
The international community has largely condemned the coup, calling for the immediate release of President Bazoum and the restoration of constitutional order in Niger. The African Union (AU) and the United Nations have both expressed concern over the military takeover, urging the junta to respect democratic principles and work toward a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
In the region, neighboring countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast have condemned the coup, with some even considering sanctions against Niger. On the other hand, countries like Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which are now under military rule, have expressed support for Niger’s new government, highlighting the growing network of military juntas in the region.
Tensions within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have also been exacerbated by the coup. The bloc had previously imposed sanctions on the military governments of Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso in response to their own coups. Now, with Niger following suit, the potential for further regional instability remains high. ECOWAS is currently deliberating on how to handle the situation in Niger, with some members calling for more decisive action.
The future of Niger, under General Tchiani’s leadership, is uncertain. While the junta has promised a return to democratic rule, the security challenges the country faces may complicate any efforts at political transition. The dissolution of political parties and the detention of former President Bazoum further suggest that the path to democracy may be long and fraught with difficulties.
