Niger rebels form new government

Niger’s rebel leader, chairman of the National Council for the Salvation of the Motherland (NCSR), Abdurahman Tchiani, signed a decree on August 9 to form a new government. About it informs ActuNiger portal.

The new government included 21 ministers – military and civilians. Ali Lamine Zein became the Prime Minister of the country, he also received the post of Minister of Economy and Finance.

The portfolio of State Minister and Minister of National Defense was received by Lieutenant General Salifu Modi, one of the leaders of the NSSR. Brigadier General Mohamed Tumba has been appointed Minister of State, as well as the Minister of the Interior, Public Security and Territorial Administration. Bakary Yau Sangare became Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Affairs of Nigerians Abroad.

On July 26, the Niger military announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazum. The leader of the rebellion, the head of the presidential guard, Abdurakhman Tchiani, became the new leader of the country. The UN Security Council, the US and the EU did not recognize the coup and demanded the release of the country’s democratically elected president.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional alliance has issued an ultimatum to the rebels, allowing the possible use of force if constitutional order is not restored in the country within a week. After three days of talks in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, the chiefs of staff of the armies of the countries participating in the August 4 bloc agreed plan for possible military intervention. On August 6, a few hours before the expiration of the ultimatum, the military leadership of Niger closed country’s airspace because of the threat of invasion.

The Kremlin expressed concern about the situation in Niger. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow stands for the speedy restoration of the rule of law in the country and for “restraint on all sides so that this does not lead to human casualties.”