Niamey, Niger, 11 February –Today, the United States and the Government of the Republic of Niger celebrated the launch of the Niger Electoral Process Assistance activity. This activity, financed by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will assist the Government of Niger to promote a peaceful democratic transition through free, transparent, and inclusive elections. U.S. Ambassador to Niger, Mr. Eric Whitaker, and the President of the National Electoral Commission Mr. Issaka Souna officially launched the program.

USAID’s elections support activity will run from 2019 to 2021, and will devote $4 million (CFA 2.3 billion) to promoting peaceful and constructive dialogue of Niger’s political leaders and civic activists on Niger’s electoral framework ahead of the 2021 elections. The activity will also support Niger’s independent electoral commission and relevant Government of Niger institutions to conduct free and inclusive elections, and to effectively communicate election processes to the Nigerien people.

“The United States is committed to supporting Niger’s 2021 elections to allow the country to achieve a historic milestone with its first peaceful transition of power from one democratically elected president to another,” Ambassador Whitaker said.

The Niger Electoral Process Assistance activity will be implemented by the National Democratic Institute and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.