A commission established by the military junta in Niger has recommended a five-year transition period back to civilian rule, signaling a shift from the initial three-year transition timeline proposed by the junta when it seized power in 2023. The military ousted President Mohamed Bazoum last year, and while the junta had initially proposed a three-year timeframe, this was swiftly rejected by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which continues to press for a return to constitutional order.
As part of the transition proposal, the commission outlined plans to create a new political charter that would allow between two and five political parties to operate in the country. This move is seen as an effort to structure a more controlled political landscape while still making room for political participation in the future.
The junta’s leader, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, who led Niger’s presidential guard before the coup, was also promoted to the rank of army general as part of the military’s consolidation of power. This promotion has raised concerns about the deepening influence of the junta in shaping the country’s political future.
The commission, which was tasked with developing a roadmap for the transition, consulted a diverse group of experts, including lawyers, architects, and teachers, but notably excluded political parties from the discussions. This exclusion has raised questions about the level of inclusivity and transparency in the process, particularly as Niger has been under military rule for more than a year.
After reviewing the commission’s report, the junta will make the final decision on the transition timeline, leaving open the possibility for further adjustments. The commission’s recommendations come amid rising tensions in the region, particularly with neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, which left ECOWAS following political disagreements over the junta’s rise to power and its subsequent refusal to set a quick return to civilian rule.
The broader political situation in the Sahel has become increasingly complex, with military juntas taking control in multiple countries, sparking a wave of instability and drawing the region further away from the influence of traditional international bodies like ECOWAS. Analysts are watching closely to see whether the proposed five-year transition will gain support both domestically and internationally, as Niger navigates its way through a period of profound political and social change.
With ECOWAS maintaining pressure for a swift return to democracy and the junta holding firm on its transition timeline, the political future of Niger remains uncertain, with both local and regional implications hanging in the balance.
