Coup: Niger military junta ignores ECOWAS, forms new government, names 21 ministers
Following a successful take-over of government from democratically elected government, which saw president Mohamed Bazoum being sacked, the Niger Republic military junta led by Abdourahamane Tchiani has formed a cabinet to oversee the affairs of the various areas in the country.
Mahamane Roufai Laouali, who is cited as ‘secretary general of the government’, while making the announcement in a televised broadcast on Wednesday night, read out the names of 21 ministers without detailing further plans.
Among the ministers are three of the coup leaders who were named ministers of defence, interior and sports.
It was learned that the government, which is about half the size of the previous one, will be headed by Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, who was named prime minister on Tuesday.
The development comes as leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) prepare to reconvene in Abuja to discuss the crisis in the landlocked West African nation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and chairman of the authority of Heads of state and Government of the Economic Community of the ECOWAS leaders will be considering and discussing the political situation and recent developments in Niger during the summit,” ECOWAS had said in a statement on Monday.
