By John Ikani
The military junta that assumed power in Niger has unveiled the composition of the freshly appointed government Cabinet.
Leading the 21-member team is Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, an accomplished civilian economist.
Integral to the Cabinet are generals hailing from the newly formed military governing council, assigned to spearhead the defence and interior ministries.
The announcement of the cabinet comes as a crucial summit is being convened among leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in response to the Niger situation.
The meeting being held in Abuja as of the time of filing this report is aimed at pursuing a diplomatic resolution.
The prospect of employing force to address the unfolding crisis has not been entirely ruled out.
Having witnessed a succession of coups across ECOWAS member states, the organization granted the faction that seized control on July 26 a deadline that recently expired, demanding the restoration of Bazoum to the presidency.
Mali and Burkina Faso, both sharing borders with Niger and having faced their own military government takeovers, voice strong opposition to any potential armed intervention in Niger.
They view such action as tantamount to an outright declaration of war against their own nations.
As events transpire, President Bazoum, the democratically elected leader of Niger, finds himself confined within the walls of the presidential palace in Niamey, alongside his wife and son.
Inside sources reveal that the family is grappling with austere living conditions, including a lack of electricity and dwindling food supplies, surviving primarily on rice and canned goods.
The United Nations, through Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding President Bazoum and his family’s detention.
With reports shedding light on their challenging conditions, Guterres has called for the immediate, unconditional release of Bazoum and his reinstatement as the legitimate Head of State.
A statement issued by a UN spokesperson on Wednesday reiterates these sentiments.
