TheCable

Abdourahmane Tiani, Niger Republic’s self declared head of state, has named Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, former minister of economy and finance, as the country’s new prime minister.

Zeine’s appointment, which was announced in a statement on Monday night, comes nearly two weeks after the military took over power in Niger.

The new prime minister had served in the cabinet of then-president Mamadou Tandja, who was toppled by the country’s military in 2010.

He replaces Mahamadou Ouhoumoudou, who was in Europe during the coup.

The junta also appointed Amadou Didilli as the head of the country’s High Authority for Peace Consolidation (HACP) and Abou Tague Mahamadou as the inspector-general of the army and the national gendarmerie.

Ibro Amadou Bachirou was appointed as the private chief of staff of the junta leader while Habibou Assoumane was named the commander of the presidential guard.

Tiani, until his new role as Niger’s head of state, had led the presidential guard which has held democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum hostage since July 26.

An ultimatum from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the coup plotters to reinstate Bazoum or risk a military intervention expired on Sunday.

ECOWAS said it will meet on Thursday to discuss how to proceed.