Niger Junta Leader Names Transitional Cabinet

Niger’s junta leader Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani has appointed a cabinet in defiance of calls by regional leaders to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

The cabinet was announced on state TV at 00:30 GMT (01:30 local time) on Thursday.

BBC Africa reports that the new government is made up of 21 ministers, including two ministers of state and a delegate minister.

According to reports, the new transitional government made up of military and civilian personalities, is led by interim Prime Minister Lamine Zeine Ali Mahamane, who will also double up as the minister of economy and finance.

Former chief of staff Lt Gen Salifou Mody, widely considered to be Gen Tchiani’s deputy, has been named minister of national defense.

Col Maj Abdourahmane Amadou, who has been reading the majority of communique on state TV since the 26 July coup, is the minister of youth and sports.

The junta has already named new military chiefs and sacked most of the senior government officials who served in Mr. Bazoum’s administration.