The RSD-Gaskiya was founded by Cheiffou in January 2004 as a split from the Democratic and Social Convention (CDS),[2] and fared well in the July 2004 municipal elections.[3][4] In the 2004 general elections Cheiffou was nominated as the RSD candidate, receiving 6.35% of the vote and placing fourth out of six candidates; the party subsequently backed incumbent President Mamadou Tandja in the second round,[5] which he won with 66% of the vote. In the parliamentary elections the RSD-Gaskiya receive 7.1% of the vote, winning seven of the 113 seats in the National Assembly.