Firsttransferofpowerbetweentwodemocraticallyelectedpresidentsisvery *** hasexperiencedfourcoupssincegainingindependencefromFrancein 1960 a smoothtransferofpowerwouldbeconsidered a rarebrightspotfor a countryblightedbywidespreadpovertyandmilitantviolence.
PresidentMamadouIssoufouissteppingdownafter 25 yeartermsondescribedSundayas a specialdaythathehopedwouldsolidifyNiger's reputationas a democraticcountryinAfricaandtheworld.