- After the apex court of Niger confirmed the victory of Mohamed Bazoum in the elections, Niger’s newly elected President has been sworn in.
- He takes over the Presidency from the outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou, 68, who voluntarily stepped down after two five-year terms.
After the apex court of Niger confirmed the victory of Mohamed Bazoum in the elections, Niger’s newly elected President has been sworn in. He takes over the Presidency from the outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou, 68, who voluntarily stepped down after two five-year terms. Bazoum won with more than 55 percent of the ballot in a February presidential election. His victory was followed by attacks by armed groups and political tensions in the country. Former President Mahamane Ousmane, who lost rejected the results alleging fraud.
President Bazoum aged 60, was the interior minister and right-hand man of the former President of Niger. His rival, former Prime Minister Hama Amadou, was banned from running on due to some criminal conviction for baby trafficking, a charge he has refuted as politically motivated. The swearing in took place amidst threats of violence and alleged coup bid. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the armed forces “to strictly abide by their constitutional obligations”.Over and above the existing problems faced by this Sahel country, one of the poorest countries in the world , the elected President Bazoum will have to tackle the new challenge of political instability and threat to the democratically elected government following last week’s attempted coup.
