Politics of Niger: transition institutions, Charter of Refoundation, diplomacy

How is the politics of Niger organised?

The politics of Niger has been organised since 26 March 2025 by the Charter of Refoundation, a text of constitutional value that frames a transition of sixty months. General Abdourahamane Tiani, who has led the State since the coup of 26 July 2023, holds the presidency of the Republic.

The regime is therefore a military-led transition regime. The Constitution in force before July 2023 was suspended, and the Charter serves as the fundamental law for the public authorities.

From the seizure of power to the Charter of Refoundation

On 26 July 2023, soldiers gathered in the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland removed civilian power and dissolved the elected institutions, including the National Assembly. Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine was appointed Prime Minister in August 2023.

In February 2025, National Assises brought together more than seven hundred delegates for five days. Their recommendations served as the basis for the Charter of Refoundation, which General Tiani promulgated before being sworn in, on 26 March 2025, as president for a period of sixty months from promulgation, adjustable according to the security situation and the agenda of the Alliance of Sahel States.

Institutions and Constitution of the transition

Executive power lies with the President of the Republic and the government led by the Prime Minister. The head of government kept his post in 2026, but lost the Economy and Finance portfolio in January of that year.

In the absence of a National Assembly, the Consultative Council of Refoundation acts as a transition body. Its 194 members, designated by the eight regions or appointed by the authorities, took up their duties on 12 July 2025. It has no legislative power: it gives opinions and recommendations on major national directions, and must be consulted before the president authorises foreign forces in an emergency.

Elections and political parties

No election is held during the transition. Among the ordinances signed when the Charter was put in place, one pronounced the dissolution of political parties and another granted amnesty to political and military prisoners.

A return to a constitutional order based on the ballot will therefore depend on the end of the transition, no election date being set to date.

Diplomacy in the politics of Niger: AES, ECOWAS, ICC

Niger left the Economic Community of West African States together with Mali and Burkina Faso. The exit has been effective since 29 January 2025, following an announcement made on 28 January 2024. The three States have grouped together in the Alliance of Sahel States, whose heads of state adopted a treaty establishing a confederation.

Niger has also notified its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, in the same movement as its two partners. On the bilateral level, the Prime Minister made a visit to Algiers in August 2026, focused on energy.