NIAMEY, Niger — Niger’s military government has set a five-year timeline to return the country to civilian rule, rejecting demands from regional neighbors for a faster transition. The announcement came Wednesday as junta leader Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani was sworn in as transitional president during a ceremony in the capital.
Tiani, who led last July’s coup that ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum, was promoted to the rank of army general, further consolidating military control. Government secretary Mahamane Roufai confirmed the transition period began Wednesday and follows recommendations from a national conference held earlier this year.
The decision defies pressure from ECOWAS, the West African economic bloc that had threatened military intervention last year when the junta first proposed a three-year transition. Like neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso – which also experienced recent coups – Niger has expelled French forces and turned to Russia for security assistance while battling Islamist insurgents.
Violence continues across Niger’s border regions where groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State remain active. The Sahel crisis, which began in Mali in 2012, has recently spread to coastal West African nations including Togo and Ghana.
Under the new transition charter, Tiani could remain in power until 2030, mirroring extended military-led transitions in other West African nations. The junta maintains the extended timeline is necessary to stabilize the country before elections.
The United States and European nations have not yet responded to Niger’s latest transition announcement. ECOWAS leaders are expected to discuss the development at their next summit.
Reporting by The USA New Times Africa Desk
