NIAMEY, Niger — On Thursday, Niger’s National Conference introduced a proposal aimed at restoring the country to civilian governance after a five-year transitional phase during which the current military government intends to retain its power.
The proposed plan is pending approval from the junta and includes provisions to dismantle all political parties. Instead, it suggests drafting a new party charter that would limit the number of political parties to a maximum of five. Furthermore, the proposal allows the junta leader, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tchiani, to participate as a candidate in the upcoming elections.
Tchiani has expressed his commitment to carrying out the recommendations from the conference, stating, “I am dedicated to meeting the expectations of the sovereign people. You have fulfilled your part; I will ensure I fulfill mine.”
Niger, alongside its neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso, has faced a jihadist insurgency for over a decade, with certain groups associated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. In the wake of several recent military coups in these nations, their ruling juntas have expelled French military forces and sought support from Russian mercenaries for enhanced security.
According to analysts, the security conditions in the Sahel region have deteriorated since the juntas took control, characterized by an unprecedented rise in attacks and an increased number of civilian casualties due to both extremist militants and government forces. Recent statistics indicate that violence in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso has claimed over 3,470 lives within the past six months, contributing to the displacement of 2.6 million individuals, as reported by the United Nations refugee agency.
Following their ascension to power, the juntas distanced themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc that has been in operation for almost half a century, and instead forged a new security alliance known as the Alliance of Sahel States in September of the previous year.
Some experts see this move as a strategy to legitimize their military regimes amidst sanctions imposed due to the coups and to manage increasingly tense relations with their neighboring countries.