Abdourahamane Tiani, the junta leader of Niger Republic, has been officially sworn in as the country’s president for a transition period of five years under a new charter.
Tiani, a former leader of the presidential guard who staged the 2023 coup, was also promoted to the highest military rank of army general and signed a decree dissolving all political parties.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday in Niamey, Niger’s capital, marking the start of the five-year “flexible” transition period, according to Mahamane Roufai, secretary general of the government.
This move directly counters efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reintegrate Niger into the regional bloc and restore democracy.
Shortly after seizing power, Tiani initially proposed a three-year transition to civilian rule, but ECOWAS rejected the plan and threatened military intervention.
With negotiations failing, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, officially exited ECOWAS earlier this year, solidifying their break from the bloc.
