NIAMEY, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mohamed Bazoum, the candidate from the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, was declared the winner of the Feb 21 presidential runoff election in Niger, the authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
In the runoff on Sunday, Bazoum won 55.75 percent of votes while
former president Mahamane Ousmane took 45.25 of the votes.
“I know my country perfectly well; I feel in a state to assume this function entrusted by the people. I will assume it with patriotism, loyalty, and probity. I will be a president of all Nigeriens,” the elected president pledged upon the announcement.
The beginning of his government marks the first democratic transition of power after the military took over the government and elected President Mahamadou Issoufou, who has ruled for ten years.
Nonetheless, Niger’s constitutional court still has to confirm the overall results.
On the other hand, Bazum promised to fight terrorism and work to take Niger out of poverty.
According to development rankings by the United Nations, Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries, and violence in the Sahel region poses a major threat to its population. — NNN-AGENCIES