Niger's newly elected president Mohamed Bazoum delivers a speech at his party’s headquarters after the announcement of his election, according to provisional results, in Niamey on February 23, 2021. His swearing-in took place two days after the government said it had foiled a coup. Bazoum, 61, was elected in a February run-off poll that was contested by his main opponent Mahamane Ousmane, a former president who was toppled by a military coup in 1996. Niger's top court confirmed Bazoum's victory in March, but the ruling sparked protests in Niamey in which two people were killed. Read MoreTaking office in a ceremony attended by several heads of state, Bazoum said the minerals could help Niger reach annual economic growth of 8 per cent in five years.

Source: Standard Digital April 02, 2021 21:01 UTC