The leader of the rebels who seized power in Niger, General Abdurrahman Tchiani, signed a decree on the formation of a transitional government.
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“The chairman of the National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland, the head of state, signed <…> on August 9, 2023, a decree on the appointment of members of the government,” the local media said in a publication.
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21 ministers entered the cabinet.
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At the same time, according to the presented list, an absolute minority of them have military ranks.
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On July 26, members of the Niger Presidential Guard spoke on national television and announced the removal of the head of state, Mohamed Bazum, the closure of borders and the introduction of a curfew.
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Before that, the guards blocked the presidential palace in the capital Niamey. The commander of the guard, General Abdurahman Tchiani, went on television as head of the “National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland.” The army command declared solidarity with the rebels. The President is still being held at the residence. The leaders of many countries and the regional organization ECOWAS condemned the coup.
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The night before, there were reports of French military strikes against the facilities of the Niger National Guard. Despite this, the situation in the capital Niamey remains calm.
