NIAMEY: Niger got a new president on Friday _ the West African nation’s first democratic transfer of power.

Newly elected President Mohamed Bazoum’s inauguration came days after the country’s security forces thwarted an attempted military coup at the presidential palace on Wednesday. Niger already faces unprecedented threats from militants near its troubled border with Mali.

Bazoum succeeds President Mahamadou Issoufou, who stepped down after serving two terms, in accordance with the constitution. Issoufou’s decision to respect the constitution was widely hailed as it paved the way for Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960. The West African nation has seen four coups.

Bazoum pledged to be the elected president for all Nigeriens during his inauguration speech. While promising to preserve the unity and brotherhood of the Nigerien people, President Bazoum said he was prepared to maintain with the leaders of the opposition the constructive dialogue necessary to promote a “peaceful political climate, favourable to the interests of our country”.

His main election rival, Mahamane Ousmane, has rejected election results claiming fraud. Supporters for Ousmane have held mass demonstrations.

“I will be a President of the Republic in the service of peace, progress and happiness of the Nigerien people and of the African continent,” Bazoum said.

Bazoum is Issoufou’s chosen successor and a long-time minister who is from Niger’s small ethnic Arab minority. He was a former interior minister in Niger and is also a teacher by training.

Fears, however, have been mounting that the inauguration could prompt more violence in Niger.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2021