Niger convention proposes five-year timeline for end to military rule

Niger’s junta will stay in power for at least half a decade more if it accepts a plan presented on Thursday, which does not bar the country’s ruling generals from running in any future election.

A “national convention” was tasked in February with drafting a new charter outlining the terms of the handover of power back to civilians following the July 2023 coup that ousted democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum.

Junta chief General Abdourahamane Tiani — who will have the final say on the proposal — proclaimed the charter’s presentation as a “fresh start” for the west African nation confronted with jihadist violence.

The national convention took place from February 15 to 19 and included 716 civil and military participants, with the charter’s presentation broadcast on state television.

The handover “will take place over a period of 60 months, that’s to say five years from the date of the charter’s adoption”, said convention participant Bibata Niandou, watched over by Tiani.

“This is an unprecedented process, which offers realistic hope for a fresh start for our country,” General Tiani told the ceremony to thunderous applause.

The proposals however provide for the transition’s duration to “evolve” in line with various concerns, notably “the security situation”.

– ‘National dialogue’ –

Niger is one of several countries in Africa’s Sahel region where the army has seized power in recent years in the face of persistent attacks by jihadists and other armed groups.

Shortly after the coup Tiani proclaimed an “inclusive national dialogue” to outline the junta’s governing priorities and lay down the duration of its term in power.

At the time Tiani mentioned a maximum duration of three years, but he has not addressed the issue since.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rejected the three-year timeline.

Niger, along with its junta-ruled neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, left the union this year, accusing it of being thrall to former colonial ruler France.

Headed by traditional leader Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, the charter-drafting commission also gathers former ministers, academics, lawyers, soldiers, advisers to General Tiani, religious leaders and figures drawn from civil society.

Djingarey pointed to the “possibility of the leaders” of the military authorities “to stand in future elections”.

– Coup ‘amnesty’ –

Among its various proposals, the charter notably proposes “an amnesty for the authors of the coup d’etat of July 26, 2023” and bestowing the title of “President of the Republic” on Tiani for his “leadership” in reclaiming the former French colony’s “sovereignty”.

It also suggests dissolving the more than 170 existing political parties in Niger, who have currently suspended activities, and creating a new parties code.

The charter also hints at a role in setting out the transition’s length for the Alliance of Sahel States, a defence pact between Niger and its neighbouring allies Mali and Burkina Faso.

The three have cut ties with France, forcing French troops to leave their respective territories and favouring closer relations with Russia.

The convention also proposes the creation of a new constitution to replace the one in place prior to the 2023 coup, and reflecting Niger’s “socio-cultural values” and recognising Islam as the “religion of the majority” while respecting the freedom of other religions.

Niger’s bar association declined to take part in the convention, while international media outlets were not given accreditation to cover the ceremony.