Breaking: Niger Junta Ignores Tinubu, ECOWAS, Unveils 21-man Govt, Document Emerges

• Niger’s junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has announced a 21-man government on the eve of an emergency meeting of ECOWAS leaders in Abuja
• Tchiani announced the government in a statement he read out on national television on Wednesday night, August 9
• The government is headed by Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, who was earlier announced on Monday, August 7

Niamey, Niger Republic - This week, Niger’s new military junta took steps to entrench itself in power and rejected international efforts to mediate.

On the night of Wednesday, August 9, the new Nigerien Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, and the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) unveiled the composition of a government comprising 21 members, a report by Los Angeles Times noted this development.

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This cabinet by the CNSP reflects a fusion between technocrats and senior officers.

Within this new government team, Prime Minister Zeine retains responsibility for the finance portfolio, while General Salifou Mody, architect of the alliance with the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso, is entrusted with the crucial role of minister of national defence.

At the same time, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, who was the permanent representative of Niger to the United Nations (UN), takes the reins of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are expected to meet on Thursday, August 10, in Abuja to discuss the developments in Niger.

Sanusi meets Niger coup leaders

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano and grand Khalifah of the Tijjaniyah Muslim Group in Nigeria, visited Niamey, the capital of the Niger Republic and held a private meeting with the leader of the military junta, General Tchani.

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"We don't want war": Reaction as former Emir Sanusi meets Niger coup leaders, Tinubu

Per videos and photos shared by online users, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was seen engaging the military leaders, suspected to be on the political development in the country.

Niger coup: Reaction to Sanusi's visit

Legit.ng also reported that the Tinubu-led ECOWAS' move to apply force on the political crisis rocking the Niger Republic has continued to face criticism from stakeholders.

Yusuf Yusuf, a journalist familiar with the neighbouring states in Nigeria and Niger Republic, while speaking with Legit.ng, said the use of force would have a strong negative impact on the neighbouring state.

Source: Legit.ng