NIAMEY, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The new president of the Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, was sworn in Friday for a five-year term, during an inauguration ceremony held in Niamey.

In his inauguration speech, Bazoum said that he would be "the elected president for all Nigeriens."

"My duty is to treat Nigeriens equally. I am committed to consolidating the unity of our country and the fraternity that should dominate our relations between us," he stressed.

He also promised to continue the program of his predecessor, and tackle in his tenure the challenges the country faces in the fields of security, climate, economy, education and health.

Heavy security measures had been deployed across the capital to ensure the safety of the two presidents and other visiting heads of state and government, since two days before Bazoum's inauguration ceremony, an attempted coup in Niamey was foiled by the Nigerien government.

Also, the country faces severe terrorist threats coming from its western part bordering Mali and Burkina Faso. In March alone this year, more than one hundred civilians were killed in various attacks launched by djihadists.

Bazoum is expected to name a new Prime Minister soon to form a new government to lead the country and tackle the security issues.

Mohamed Bazoum, 61, the candidate of Niger's ruling Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-TARAYYA), was elected with 55.66 percent of the votes during the second round of presidential election held on Feb. 21.

President Bazoum's inauguration marks a turning point in Niger's political history, as this is the first time the country sees a peaceful power transition between two democratically elected presidents. Enditem

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