Leader of Niger’s ruling junta, Abdourahamane Tiani, has been officially sworn in as transitional president for five years under a newly established charter.

Tiani, a former presidential guard commander who led the 2023 coup, was also elevated to the highest military rank of army general. Following his inauguration, he signed a decree dissolving all political parties.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday in Niamey, the capital, marking the start of what government secretary general Mahamane Roufai described as a “flexible” transition period.

This development challenges efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate democracy and bring Niger back into the regional bloc. Initially, Tiani proposed a three-year return to civilian rule, a plan ECOWAS rejected, threatening military intervention.

After failing to reach a compromise, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, withdrew from ECOWAS—a decision that was finalised earlier this year.