Niger's junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, was officially sworn in on Wednesday as transitional president, marking a new phase in the country's political landscape.

Under a new charter that replaces the constitution, Tchiani will lead a five-year transition period. The army veteran, who seized power in a July 2023 coup that ousted the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum, was also promoted to the highest military rank of army general. In a sweeping move to consolidate control, he signed a decree dissolving all political parties-effectively sidelining any opposition voices and tightening the military's grip on power.

For more on what this means for Niger and the wider West African region,  from Abuja by Austin Aigbe, a member of the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network.