The ruling party’s candidate in Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, will enter Sunday’s presidential run-off vote as the heavy favourite to succeed outgoing Mahamadou Issoufou, whose policies to combat Islamist violence and widespread poverty he has vowed to continue. After winning the first round in December by 22 points over his nearest rival, former President Mahamane Ousmane, Bazoum was endorsed by the third and fourth-place candidates. Ousmane, who was president from 1993-1996, hopes to score an upset by promising change in the face of intensifying attacks by militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, part of a wider security crisis across West Africa’s Sahel region.
SOURCE: FRANCE 24
More Stories
Richard Branson’s Oasis in Morocco Gets Top Prize
Tunisia’s Cork Industry Damaged by Wild Fires
A Hub to Grow East Africa’s Justice Innovators
Can Africa’s Green Initiatives Mitigate Effects of Climate Change?
Key Talks with Guinea’s Interested Parties
France Criticises Deal bringing Russian Mercenaries into Mali
A Blow to Africa’s Treatment of Curable Diseases
Tobacco Company Accused of Sending Bribes to Mugabe
How Kenyan Airways Pivoted to Meet New Market Shift
Online Service Made Benin the Fastest Place in the World to Start a Company
One of the Most Challenging and Inventive Figures in Contemporary African Art
The Devastating Impact of War on Nigerien Children