Maurice Kamto challenges Niger’s municipal election mandate extension

Niger’s opposition leader condemns presidential decree extending municipal mandates

Maurice Kamto, leader of Niger’s opposition Movement for the Renaissance of Niger (MRN), has formally challenged the government’s decision to extend the terms of municipal councilors, calling it a blatant violation of constitutional principles. The announcement follows a presidential decree issued on May 4, 2026, which indefinitely prolongs the mandates of local elected officials, sparking legal and political controversy.

Kamto argues that the decree encroaches on legislative prerogatives, as it was parliament’s role—not the executive’s—to determine the duration of municipal mandates. He points to a recent legal amendment that removed the 18-month cap on extensions, a provision previously enshrined in the electoral code. However, Kamto contends that the new law, enacted on April 14, 2026, lacks any provision for retroactive application, making the decree unconstitutional.

The legal scholar asserts that the extension violates the constitutional principle of non-retroactivity, which prohibits laws from applying to past events. Under the former legal framework, municipal mandates were set to expire by August 9, 2026, but the decree pushed this deadline to February 27, 2026, effectively overriding existing legal timelines.

Kamto warns that as of June 1, 2026, municipal councils nationwide will be in a state of legal vacancy. He urges local executives to recognize this void and take legal responsibility for their actions and the entities they represent. The opposition leader has petitioned the Constitutional Council to compel the President to organize municipal elections, though past rulings suggest the Council may dismiss the request as inadmissible.