By: Trevor Loudon
New Zeal

Mahamadou Issoufou

The Socialist International has warmly congratulated Mahamadou Issoufou, leader of the Party for Democracy and Socialism of Niger and a Socialist International Vice-President, who was sworn in as President of the Republic of Niger on 7 April, having won the second round of the presidential elections on 12 March with 57.95% of the vote against 42.05% for former prime minister and leader of the National Movement for the Development of Society, Seini Oumarou.

The S.I. describes Issoufou’s inauguration as “an historic moment for Niger, and a sign of great hope and optimism for the people of that country.”

The Socialist International has “on several occasions during the last years held meetings and activities in Niamey, the capital of Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, hosted by the PNDS and Mahamadou Issoufou. Equally, President Issoufou has participated regularly in the activities of the International elsewhere in Africa and in other parts of the world.”