Niger’s military coup regime has formed a government, according to a decree by the country’s new strongman, General Abdourahamane Tiani, which was read on national television Wednesday night.
The 21-member government, announced just ahead of a crucial summit of Niger’s West African neighbors in Abuja on Thursday, will be led by Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, who was appointed on Monday.
It includes 20 ministers. The defense and interior ministers are generals from the National Council for Homeland Security (CNSP), which has taken power, General Salifou Mody and General Mohamed Toumba.
This government marks the basis of the military regime since the ouster of President-elect Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 and appears to be a show of defiance towards leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), who are meeting in Abuja on Thursday to assess the situation in Niger.
“Important decisions” are expected at this summit, according to the regional organization, which reiterated that it supports diplomatic means to restore constitutional order in Niger while maintaining its threat to use force to reinstate the president. Bazoum in its functions.
ECOWAS is seen by the new masters of Niamey as an organization “in the pay” of France, a former colonial power, their main target since coming to power.
On Wednesday they accused her of violating Nigerian airspace, which had been closed since Sunday, with a French army plane from Chad in the morning and “freeing terrorists”. The charge was immediately dismissed by France.