Niger coupists dig in, appoints ex-Economy Minister as new PM

The military junta in Niger Republic is digging in, firming their hold on government as they appointed a former Economy Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, as the country’s new Prime Minister.

Spokesperson for the military junta, Amadou Abdramane, announced the new appointment on national television on Monday night, effectively replacing outsted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Indeed, Lamine Zeine was a former Minister of Economy and Finance in the cabinet of then-President Mamadou Tandja, who was ousted in 2010. He most recently worked as an economist for the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Chad.

The appointment is coming just a day after a seven-day ultimatum issued by ECOWAS leaders expired on Sunday.

ECOWAS, under the leadership of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, had, last week Sunday, threatened military action to restore civil authority in Niger if outsted President Mohamed Bazoum was not reinstated in seven days.

ECOWAS leaders would, however, meet in Abuja, on Thursday, to review the situation in Niger Republic.