In a ceremony marked by solemn military protocol and sweeping political shifts, General Abdourahamane Tchiani was officially sworn in on Wednesday as the transitional president of Niger. This move, cementing his leadership for a proposed five-year period, follows nearly two years since he seized power in a 2023 coup that ousted the country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.
Wearing full military regalia, Gen Tchiani took the oath of office under a newly adopted national charter, which replaces the now-defunct constitution. He also received a promotion to the top military rank of army general, solidifying his dual role as both the nation’s political and military leader. During his address in Niamey, he expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him, saying, “I receive this distinction with great humility. I will strive to live up to the trust placed in me.”
The newly enacted charter outlines a five-year transition timeline to democratic governance, though it remains “flexible,” contingent on national security conditions. Niger has long struggled with the scourge of jihadist violence, a key factor Gen Tchiani and his fellow coup leaders cited in justifying their seizure of power.
As part of his first official actions as transitional president, Gen Tchiani signed a decree dissolving all existing political parties — a decision signaling a sharp turn from pluralism and raising fresh concerns about political freedoms in the country.
The transition plan reportedly follows recommendations from a national dialogue commission. However, it arrives amid strained relations with the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), which had rejected an earlier proposal for a three-year transition as insufficient and provocative. Though Ecowas initially threatened military intervention, it eventually backed down — a reflection of the region’s shifting geopolitical landscape.
Like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea — fellow junta-led states — Niger has distanced itself from former colonial ruler France and is increasingly aligning itself with Russia. All but Guinea have also exited Ecowas in a defiant regional reshuffle that has redrawn the map of West African diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s ousted president, remains detained within the presidential palace alongside his wife. Their son was granted provisional release earlier this year. The Tchiani administration is pursuing charges against Bazoum, accusing him of high treason and threatening national security.
Speaking to Niger’s broader economic ambitions, Gen Tchiani emphasized that the newly adopted charter includes unprecedented safeguards for the country’s natural resources. “We are taking bold steps to ensure that Nigeriens truly benefit from the wealth of their land,” he said, as reported by state media outlet ANP.
With political parties now banned and the timeline to elections left uncertain, Niger stands at a precarious crossroads — one shaped by military control, regional fallout, and the enduring hope for eventual democratic restoration.
