Niger Rebels Appoint New Prime Minister

Niger's rebels have appointed economist and former finance minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zain as the new Prime Minister.

According to a statement read on Niger's state television RTN, the head of the National Council for the Defense of the Homeland, the country's leader, has decided that Lamine Zain Ali Mahaman will assume the role of Prime Minister.

As reported by ActuNiger, Lamine Zain is currently a representative of the African Development Bank in N'Djamena, Chad, after having held similar positions in Côte d'Ivoire and Gabon.

At the end of July, Niger's military announced on national television their decision to oust President Mohamed Bazoum. General Abdurahman Chiani, the commander of the presidential guard, has appeared on state television as the head of the National Council for the Defense of the Homeland, established by the coup participants.

Most leaders of Western countries have condemned the coup.