APA – Niamey (Niger) – The President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the ruling junta in Niamey, has appointed a government at a time when the Economic Community of West
African States is meeting again to discuss the situation in Niger.
Is the CNSP taunting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)? On Thursday August 10, the Niger junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, unveiled the composition of the government headed by the economist Lamine Zeine, appointed five days earlier.
The team led by the former Minister of Economy and Finance under the late President Tandja comprises 21 ministers, including six members of the defense and security forces. The strategic posts are entrusted to
members of the CNSP. General Salifou Mody, the junta’s number one, is in charge of Defense, while General Mohamed Toumba inherits the Interior Ministry.
Colonel Major Amadou Abdourahmane, who has been the putschists’ spokesman since July 26, is now in charge of sports. Colonel Salissou Mahaman Salissou has been appointed head of the Department of Transport and Equipment, while the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and the Environment has been entrusted to Colonel Abdoulaye Maizama.
Appointed Niger’s permanent representative by the deposed president, after his stint as ambassador to Cuba, Bakary Yaou Sangare is General Tchiani’s choice to take over the reins of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Another act of defiance?
At the same time as the former head of the presidential guard is putting in place a government team to lead the transition, the duration of which has not yet been determined, ECOWAS is holding a meeting in Abuja. This is the second gatheringing of the supreme body of the regional institution in less than two week on the political situation in Niger.
At their extraordinary summit on July 30, the West African leaders decided to severely punish Niamey and gave the junta a one-week ultimatum to restore President Bazoum to his presidential duties, failing which they risked a possible military intervention. Once this deadline had expired, ECOWAS did not carry out its threat, preferring
to give every opportunity to the diplomatic option.
Bolstered by the support of Bamako and Ouagadougou, Niamey has threatened to retaliate against a member country of the community organization if it is attacked. In the same vein, the Niger authorities have refused to receive a tripartite delegation from ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations on the grounds that
they cannot guarantee their own security.
The day before, the American Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, was in Niamey to meet members of the junta with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in this Sahelian country.
Less indulgent towards the junta, France suspended development aid and support for the Niger budget. Niamey retaliated, denouncing the military agreements and protocols with Paris, which it accused on Wednesday 9 August of destabilization. France has rejected these accusations.
AC/fss/abj/APA