Niger: who is Mohamed Bazoum, the newly elected president?

The candidate of the ruling party Mohamed Bazoum during a conference on February 23, 2021. AFP - ISSOUF SANOGO

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The election of Mohamed Bazoum to the Nigerien presidency was validated this Sunday, March 21 by the Constitutional Court.

The PNDS candidate won with a little more than ten points ahead of his opponent, Mahamane Ousmane: 55.66% of the vote against 44.34% for his rival.

Mahamadou Issoufou's successor is therefore elected for five years.

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At 61 years old, Mohamed Bazoum

reaches the supreme office

after a long journey patiently built.

Figure of the Union Syndicale des Travailleurs du Niger, this philosophy graduate fell into the political bathhouse in the early 1990s by creating with Mahamadou Issoufou the PNDS, the Nigerian Party for Democracy and Socialism, a formation which would join the Socialist international.

The native of Bilabrine in the Diffa region begins his ascent there.

Elected for the first time as a Member of Parliament in 1993, a post to which he was re-elected three times, he held the position of Vice-President of the National Assembly on several occasions.

After twenty years in opposition, his career took a new turn in 2011 when his lifelong companion, Mahamadou Issoufou, came to power.

Succession of his mentor

Mohamed Bazoum then becomes minister.

First of Foreign Affairs then of the Interior.

Positions which will notably enable it to extend its network, in particular abroad.

At the same time, Mohamed Bazoum became from 2011 president of the national executive committee of the PNDS.

A strategic position from which he will prepare the succession of his mentor.

Mahamadou Issouffou will dub him in 2019, despite the opposition of some members of the PNDS.

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To read also: Niger: the Constitutional Court declares Mohamed Bazoum winner of the 2nd round of the presidential election

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  • Niger

  • Mohamed Bazoum

  • Mahamadou Issoufou

On the same subject

Niger: the Constitutional Court declares Mohamed Bazoum winner of the 2nd round of the presidential election

Presidential election in Niger: Mahamane Ousmane appeals to the Constitutional Court

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