Categories: World News

10 things to know about Abdourahmane Tchiani, new head of Niger Junta

  • Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of Niger’s presidential guard, has declared himself as the leader of a transitional government in the West African nation.

  • He took control just two days after his unit overthrew the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

  • The announcement was made on state-run television on Friday, where he referred to himself as the “president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.”

  • The 62-year-old general justified the intervention as necessary to prevent the country’s gradual and inevitable decline.

  • Tchiani criticized Bazoum for attempting to portray a positive image while the reality on the ground was marked by death, displacement, humiliation, and frustration.

  • According to Tchiani, the security measures in place had not effectively restored stability, despite significant sacrifices.

  • No specific timeline for a return to civilian leadership was mentioned during his announcement.

  • Originally drafted to lead the elite unit in 2015, Tchiani hails from Niger’s Tillaberi region, a significant recruitment area for the army.

  • He has a close association with former President Mahamadou Issoufou, who governed the country until 2021.

  • In March 2021, Tchiani played a leading role in thwarting a coup attempt when a military unit tried to seize the presidential palace shortly before Bazoum’s inauguration after winning the election.

Ameh Jazzia-Becky

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