New Niger leader takes helm peacefully

NIAMEY, Niger — Niger has sworn in its new president in the West African nation’s first democratic transfer of power.

President Mohamed Bazoum’s inauguration Friday took place just days after Niger’s security forces thwarted a military coup at the presidential palace. Niger also faces unprecedented threats from Islamic extremists near its border with Mali.

Bazoum succeeds President Mahamadou Issoufou, who stepped down after two terms in accordance with Niger’s constitution. His decision to respect the constitution had been widely hailed and paved the way for Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960. The nation has had four coups.

Bazoum pledged to be “the elected president for all Nigerians” in his inauguration speech Friday. While promising to preserve the unity and brotherhood of the people, Bazoum said he was prepared to maintain with the leaders of the opposition “the constructive dialogue necessary to promote a peaceful political climate, favorable to the interests of our country.”

His main rival, Mahamane Ousmane, has rejected the election results, claiming fraud, and his supporters have held mass demonstrations.

Bazoum is Issoufou’s chosen successor and a longtime Cabinet minister who is from Niger’s small ethnic Arab minority. He was a former interior minister in Niger and is a teacher by training.