Niger opposition leader Mahamane Ousmane has claimed that he narrowly won the country's presidential election, as fresh violence erupted a day after official results gave victory to his rival by a wide margin.
Niger rocked by deadly protests over contested election result
By Reuters
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Niamey - Supporters of the losing presidential candidate in Niger set several buildings on fire, burnt tyres and threw rocks at the police on Thursday, as the authorities announced that two people had been killed in post-election protests this week.
The national electoral commission on Tuesday declared ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum the winner of Sunday s runoff election with 55.75% of the vote, but his rival, Mahamane Ousmane, a former president, has alleged fraud and claimed he won with 50.3%.
Since then, two people have been killed and 468 detained during protests by Ousmane s supporters in the capital Niamey, Interior Minister Alkache Alhada said.
25 February 2021 - 20:45 Boureima Balima A protester tries to escape from a riot police vehicle after being detained during post-election violence in Niamey, Niger, February 24 2021. Picture: REUTERS
Naimey Supporters of the losing presidential candidate in Niger set several buildings on fire, burnt tyres and threw rocks at the police on Thursday, as the authorities announced that two people had been killed in post-election protests this week.
The national electoral commission on Tuesday declared ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum the winner of Sunday s runoff election with 55.75% of the vote, but his rival, Mahamane Ousmane, a former president, has alleged fraud and claimed he won with 50.3%.