Refoundation Day in Niger Date in the current year: March 26, 2026

Niger has had a tumultuous post-independence history marked by multiple coups and military regimes. The most recent coup occurred in 2023, bringing an end to the Seventh Republic under the leadership of Mohamed Bazoum, who had won the presidential election two years prior.

On July 26, 2023, the presidential guard, commanded by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, detained Bazoum, his wife, and his son in the presidential palace. That evening, Colonel Amadou Abdramane announced the overthrow of President Bazoum and his government and the seizure of power by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). The CNSP suspended the constitution and all government institutions, closed the country’s borders, and imposed a national curfew.

The following day, the Niger Armed Forces announced their support for the coup. Shortly after, Abdramane announced the suspension of all political parties. On July 28, Tchiani revealed himself as the leader of the coup and of the CNSP.

The coup sparked the Nigerien crisis, which led to a significant shift in international relations in West Africa and beyond. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the overthrow of the democratically elected president and demanded Bazoum’s reinstatement, imposing severe sanctions on Niger. ECOWAS also threatened military intervention but never followed through.

Over the following months, Niger was suspended from the African Union, withdrew from ECOWAS, and formed the Alliance of Sahel States with Burkina Faso and Mali. Western countries evacuated their citizens from Niger, withdrew their troops, and withheld financial and development aid. However, ECOWAS eventually lifted its sanctions on Niger, citing humanitarian concerns. Russia, which many believed was behind the coup, sent military advisors to Niger.

In February 2025, the CNSP organized the National Conference of Refoundation (Assises Nationales de la Refondation) to legitimize its power, establish a new political system, and justify a lengthy transitional period preceding the elections. Seven hundred delegates attended the conference, including representatives from regional administrations, religious and traditional leaders, the military, civil society organizations, youth and women’s groups, and legal experts. However, political parties were not permitted to participate officially.

The conference’s outcomes were formalized in the Charter of Refoundation, which recognized the CNSP as the central governing authority and established a five-year “refoundation phase” of political transition. The charter took effect on March 26, 2025, and Tchiani was sworn in as Niger’s transitional president. The anniversary of his official assumption of office was designated a public holiday named Refoundation Day.