Niger: the military regime dissolves the territorial community councils

The head of the military regime in power in Niger made a radical decision on Thursday by dissolving, by ordinance, the councils of territorial communities elected at the end of 2020. This announcement was made by public television and radio, highlighting a significant change in the country's governance structure.

According to information relayed by the public television channel Télé Sahel, General Abdourahamane Tiani signed an ordinance dissolving municipal councils, city councils, and regional councils. This dissolution applies to the entire territory of Niger, with no clear explanation provided for the reasons behind this abrupt decision.

Municipal councils are local governance bodies that oversee municipalities, often grouped within larger cities. This dissolution marks a major upheaval in the country's administrative structure.

In parallel, General Tiani appointed individuals to lead these communities, as reported by television. Among these appointments are military personnel, police officers, and civilians, reflecting a varied composition in the leadership of the communities.

Another significant change concerns the capital of Niger, Niamey, which will now be led by an army colonel, replacing the previously elected mayor, Oumarou Dogari. This appointment marks a significant transition towards military governance in the capital city.

These decisions come against a complex political backdrop for Niger. Following the municipal and regional elections of December 2020, the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), in power since 2011 until the coup d'état on July 26, 2023, had won a significant number of seats in the community councils.

Niger has been facing deadly jihadist attacks in various regions of the country, particularly in the west and southeast, for years. Since the overthrow of elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, the country has been ruled by a military regime, marking a period of unstable political transition.

This dissolution of territorial community councils and the appointment of military personnel to lead them underscore a major change in Niger's local governance, with potentially significant implications for the country's political future.