The newly elected President of the Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, will take the oath of office on Friday.
It is the first time in Niger that a democratically elected government would hand over power to another elected leader, with Bazoum taking over from outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou.
Bazoum, a former Nigerien foreign minister, won the second round of the February 2021 presidential election.
His rival and former President Mohammed Ousmanne challenged the results in court, but confirmed Bazoum’s victory over outgoing President Issoufou’s PND party.
Issoufou is the first President of the Republic of Niger to complete two consecutive terms in office, from 2011 to 2021.
Bazoum has vowed to build on Issofou’s efforts to fight terrorism and revive the world’s poorest economy.
The international community and the people of Niger, whom Bazoum is pleased with, are waiting to see how he will deliver on his campaign promises.
Bazoum’s first major challenge is to stabilize the country, which had faced a military coup attempt two days before he took office.
His country has long been plagued by security threats from Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups in the country and its Sahel neighbours.
Thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed in militant attacks in parts of Niger.
Terrorists have now crippled power supply in some parts of the country, and continue to attack workers with the aim of preventing further damage.