Niger coup group forms new government

Niger's coup group has announced the formation of a new government, appointing a prime minister and ministers, following last month's coup.

Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, an economist , will lead the 21-member government. He will also serve as minister of economy and finance.

Salifou Modi and Mohamed Toumba, the two generals who led the coup, were appointed defense minister and interior minister, respectively, according to a decree of the Niger National Defense Council (CNSP) announced on television today by " government secretary general" Mahamane Roufai Laouali.

Laouali did not mention any other plans for the military government. The new government will be half the size of the previous one.

On July 26, Niger's presidential guard under the command of General Abdourahamane Tiani carried out a coup, ousting President Mohamed Bazoum and establishing a military government. Tiani served as chairman of the CNSP, acting as head of state.

General Abdourahamane Tiani speaks on Niger national television on July 28. Photo: AFP — General Abdourahamane Tiani speaks on Niger national television on July 28. Photo: *AFP*

The move to form a new government comes as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is scheduled to hold a summit on the situation in Niger on August 10. Nigeria, which holds the rotating ECOWAS presidency, said the bloc was not ruling out any options, but believed diplomacy was the "best path" to resolving the crisis.

The US and European countries believe there is still a chance to end the coup in Niger through diplomatic means. France believes that the way to restore constitutional order in Niger depends on ECOWAS.

Rhissa Ag Boula, a former rebel leader in Niger, announced on August 9 that he had formed an anti-coup movement to restore power to President Bazoum. Boula served as Niger's tourism minister from 1996 to 1999 and from 1999 to 2004.

In 2008, he founded the FFR, an anti-government rebel movement. A year later, the FFR joined a Libya-sponsored peace process to end the conflict in Niger, in exchange for amnesty for its members. Boula later continued his political activities in Niger.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters )

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