Niger’s Constitutional Court late Sunday confirmed the victory of Mohamed Bazoum, the candidate of the Nigerian Party for Democracy and Socialism in last month’s presidential poll.

Bazoum, the ruling party’s chairman won the February 21st election run-off by a landslide with 55.66% of votes against 44.34% for Mahamane Ousmane, the candidate of the Democratic and Republican Renewal, according to final results from the Constitutional Court.

Bazoum’s victory had been announced on February 23rd by the Independent National Electoral Commission with 55.75% against 44.25% for Ousmane, who contested the results and filed an appeal.

Bazoum will be sworn in on April 2nd and succeed Mahamadou Issoufou. Outgoing President Issoufou could not run for a third term, according to the Nigerien Constitution. Marred by terror attacks in recent years, Niger’s new president has vowed to pursue counter-terrorism efforts methodically and with determination, and to give “a prominent place” to security in the hierarchy of its future actions.

Sisanda Mpiti.