Rebels in Niger announce formation of new government

The leader of the Niger rebels, the chairman of the National Council for the Salvation of the Motherland Abdourahamane Tchiani has signed a decree on the formation of a new transitional government, Report informs referring to ActuNiger.

The government included 20 ministers - military and civilians. The head of the Cabinet, Ali Lamine Zeine, was also appointed as Minister of Economy and Finance.

On July 26, Niger President Mohammed Bazoum and his wife were detained by their own guards. On the night of July 26-27, the country’s Armed Forces stopped the work of all state institutions in the country, imposed a curfew and closed the borders. At the same time, the rebels in Niger guaranteed the physical integrity of the displaced government.

Later, on July 28, the rebels announced the establishment of the National Council for the Salvation of the Motherland and the appointment of Abdourahamane Tchiani as its chairman. The council temporarily took over the executive and legislative powers, and its chairman began to act as head of state.