Despite its landslide victory, the party began to suffer internal splits. Following the 1999 coup one faction supported the new regime headed by Azali Assoumani, whilst another called for the reinstatement of temporary head of state Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde.
In the 2002 presidential electionsMtara Maécha stood as the RND–Renewal candidate, finishing fifth out of nine candidates with 8% of the vote, whilst Azali emerged victorious.