The new Nigerien government led by Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine has been announced with the names of the twenty ministers who compose it. A peculiarity of this team is the presence of four women among the ministers. However, the most striking fact of this composition is the taking over of the sovereign ministries by the military and the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP).
Among the ministries assigned to the military, we find that of Defense, which falls to General Salifou Mody, vice-president of the CNSP. The latter is considered the number two of the mutineers and was a key player in the seizure of power by the putschists. In addition, the military also occupy the portfolios of the Interior, Public Security, Territorial Administration, Youth and Sports, Health, Transport and the Environment.
Another peculiarity of this new government is the disappearance of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), the party of President Bazoum. Instead, Hama Hamadou’s Moden Fa Lumana opposition party takes center stage. This party recovers the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy, which becomes a “superministry”. Mahaman Moustapha Barké, close to the head of government Zeine and former campaign manager of Moden Fa Lumana, becomes the minister.
Other government figures include respected technicians such as Professor Mahamadou Saidou, appointed Minister of Health. He is the university rector recognized for his skills in the field of health. Alio Daouda, former president of the Court of Appeal, holds the post of Minister of Justice.
However, it remains to be seen what room for maneuver this government will have, given that it is under the control of the military junta and that the country is subject to sanctions. Despite this pressure, the putschists are determined to move forward with their program.
In conclusion, the new Nigerien government led by Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine has some particularities, in particular the taking over of the sovereign ministries by the military and the CNSP. The disappearance of the PNDS and the inclusion of the opposition party Moden Fa Lumana in the government are also elements to be highlighted. It now remains to observe how this government will be able to face the challenges and impose itself despite the obstacles that stand before it