A former interior minister, Mohamed Bazoum, has won Niger’s presidential election, which has been hailed as a first democratic transition for the coup-prone West African state.
He took 55.75% of the vote, said the electoral commission, with opposition candidate Mahamane Ousmane on 44.25%.
Supporters of Ousmane, a former president, have protested in the streets, alleging fraud.
Niger struggles with frequent droughts, insurgency and widespread poverty.
The world’s poorest nation according to the UN’s development rankings for 189 countries, it outlawed slavery as late as 2003.
