General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of Niger’s military junta, was officially sworn in on Wednesday, , as transitional president, marking the beginning of a five-year period under a new charter that replaces the nation’s suspended constitution.

The ruling military council stated that the transitional phase starts immediately and aims to restore constitutional order by 2030. The announcement was made during a national conference held in the capital, Niamey, where the transitional charter was formally adopted.

The five-year timeline aligns with the recommendations of a national commission formed in February, which conducted countrywide consultations to outline the political roadmap for the coming years.

Tchiani came to power following a military coup he led on July 26, 2023, which ousted democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup sparked strong condemnation from regional and international powers, with repeated demands for a swift return to democratic rule.

The new charter grants Tchiani extensive executive powers and does not rule out the possibility of his candidacy in future elections, raising concerns among observers about the sincerity of the promised transition.