Niger’s Junta Unveils Five-Year Roadmap to Constitutional Rule After 2023 Coup

In a significant development, Niger’s ruling junta has unveiled plans for a five-year transition back to constitutional rule, starting from Wednesday.

This decision was formalized during a signing ceremony for a new transition charter, signaling a major shift in the country’s political landscape.

The junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, took power in 2023 after a military coup ousted the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

Following the coup, the junta, like other military governments in the region, expelled French and other European military forces, turning instead to Russia for support in its ongoing battle against militant groups operating in the region.

The announcement of a five-year transition period aligns with the recommendations put forward in February by a national commission that facilitated discussions with various sectors of Nigerien society.

The transition process is expected to include reforms and initiatives aimed at restoring civilian governance, though specifics on the exact steps and timeline remain vague.

The junta’s decision to engage in a formal transition plan reflects its intention to balance its military rule with a gradual return to democratic processes.

However, the roadmap has sparked mixed reactions, with some welcoming the move as a necessary step towards stability, while others remain skeptical about the junta’s commitment to fully restoring civilian rule.

Niger’s coup last year was part of a larger wave of military takeovers in the Sahel region, following similar actions in Mali and Burkina Faso.

These coups have not only led to shifts in political power but also redefined the region’s alliances, with Russia increasingly playing a role in security affairs.

The five-year transition period is seen as an effort by the junta to avoid further international isolation, as Niger faces pressure from the West to return to civilian governance.

However, questions remain about the junta’s long-term intentions and whether it will honor its commitment to a democratic transition.