A commission in Niger has recommended a five-year transition to democratic rule following national consultations, officials announced.
The proposal comes after a 2023 military coup in which the military overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum and seized power. The ruling junta initially proposed a three-year transition, but the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rejected the timetable. Amid ongoing tensions, Niger withdrew from ECOWAS along with Mali and Burkina Faso to form the Alliance of Sahel States.
“The transition period is set at 60 months, subject to adjustments depending on security conditions and other factors,” commission deputy chairman Abdoulaye Seydou told state television.
The commission also recommended that junta leader Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, formerly head of Niger’s presidential guard, be promoted to the rank of army general.
Commission President Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey confirmed the five-year transitional timetable and announced that political parties would be dissolved under a new charter that would allow the establishment of two to five political parties. He also said that junta officials would be allowed to run in future elections.
The commission’s recommendations were based on consultations with more than 700 delegates, including professionals from various sectors such as law, architecture and education. However, political parties were not included in the discussions.
The final decision on the transitional timetable now lies with the junta. Similar to the military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger’s rulers have expelled French and other European forces and turned to Russia for military support in their fight against rebel groups.