Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the Niger Republic military junta has chosen a former finance minister to be the new prime minister following the military takeover that happened on July 26, 2023.
Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine will replace Mahamadou Ouhoumoudou, who has been in Europe during the coup and is presently not in the country.
Zeine reportedly in his 50s, had served as cabinet director and finance minister from 2001 until the ousting of the now-late former President, Mamadou Tandja by the army in 2010.
Zeine’s appointment was broadcast in a statement via a state-owned television channel Télé Sahel on Monday night by a military spokesperson.
Before his latest appointment, Zeine had worked for the African Development Bank in Ivory Coast, Chad, and Gabon respectively, according to ActuNiger, a privately-owned news website.
The Nigerien junta had also on Monday selected Brig Gen Amadou Didilli to be the head of the country’s High Authority for Peace Consolidation (HACP) and Brig Gen Abou Tague Mahamadou to be the inspector general of the army and the national gendarmerie.
Col Ibro Amadou Bachirou was also named the private chief of staff of the junta leader and finally, Lt Col Habibou Assoumane was announced to be the new commander of the presidential guard.