In a recent development, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, a seasoned economist, has been designated as the new Prime Minister by Niger’s military junta, as reported on the national television on Monday. This move comes amidst growing international pressure for the restoration of the constitutional order.
Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane confirmed the appointment of Mr. Zeine. Known for his economic expertise, Zeine was appointed as the cabinet director by the former president, Mamadou Tandja, following his ascension to power. Zeine was later promoted to finance minister in 2002, inheriting an economy in disarray.
Zeine served as the Finance Minister until 2010 when Tandja was ousted from power by Major Salou Djibo in a coup. Post the coup, Mahamadou Issoufou won the presidential elections and became the predecessor to Mohamed Bazoum, who was dethroned on July 26.
Mr. Zeine’s remarkable career also includes his tenure as the resident representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, and Gabon. Born in 1965 in Zinder, the second-largest city in Niger, Zeine joined the Ministry of Economy and Finance in 1991 after graduating from the Ecole nationale d’administration (ENA) in Niamey. He also holds a degree from the Centre d’études financières, économiques et bancaires in Marseille and Paris-I.
In addition, Lieutenant-Colonel Habibou Assoumane has been designated as the Commander of the Presidential Guard, as informed by Mr. Abdramane.
The question of military intervention for power transfer to civilians has sparked a divide among Niger’s Western and African partners, ahead of the upcoming ECOWAS meeting this Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria.
SOURCE: All Africa News
IMAGE: Arise News
