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Niger appoints interim government Niger appoints interim government
(about 1 hour later)
The military leadership in Niger has formed a new transitional government of twenty ministers, including five soldiers and five women. The military leadership in Niger has formed a new transitional government of 20 ministers, including five soldiers and five women.
According to state radio, the defence, sport and environment ministries, went to three generals close to the ousted President Mamadou Tandja. According to state radio, the defence, sport and environment ministries, went to three generals close to the former President, Mamadou Tandja.
On Monday, the new military leader, Major Salou Djibo, promised to return Niger to democracy but set no date.On Monday, the new military leader, Major Salou Djibo, promised to return Niger to democracy but set no date.
President Tandja was ousted last month, after he changed the constitution.President Tandja was ousted last month, after he changed the constitution.
He had sought to remain in power beyond the end of his second term in office.He had sought to remain in power beyond the end of his second term in office.
After the coup, the constitution was suspended and the cabinet dissolved.After the coup, the constitution was suspended and the cabinet dissolved.
Economic progressEconomic progress
Major Djibo, who heads the Supreme Council for Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), says elections will be held after a transitional period of unspecified duration.Major Djibo, who heads the Supreme Council for Restoration of Democracy (CSRD), says elections will be held after a transitional period of unspecified duration.
NIGER Chronic povertyPopulation 14 million, 61% live on less than $1 a dayResource rich Huge reserves of uranium, Chinese firms digging for oilPolitically unstable History of coups, assassinations and on-off rebellion by nomadic Tuareg people in the north Source: World Bank A coup for democracy?NIGER Chronic povertyPopulation 14 million, 61% live on less than $1 a dayResource rich Huge reserves of uranium, Chinese firms digging for oilPolitically unstable History of coups, assassinations and on-off rebellion by nomadic Tuareg people in the north Source: World Bank A coup for democracy?
"The Council commits itself to restoring the constitutional order that will be proposed by the consultative council" set up to advise on the country's future, he said."The Council commits itself to restoring the constitutional order that will be proposed by the consultative council" set up to advise on the country's future, he said.
"Our only goal is to accompany the return to democracy in our dear homeland," Major Djibo added."Our only goal is to accompany the return to democracy in our dear homeland," Major Djibo added.
Last week, Mahamadou Danda, who served as communications minister in an earlier government, was appointed interim prime minister.Last week, Mahamadou Danda, who served as communications minister in an earlier government, was appointed interim prime minister.
Niger has experienced long periods of military rule since independence from France in 1960.Niger has experienced long periods of military rule since independence from France in 1960.
But Mr Tandja's supporters argue that his decade in power has brought a measure of economic stability to the poor West African nation.But Mr Tandja's supporters argue that his decade in power has brought a measure of economic stability to the poor West African nation.
Under his tenure, the French energy firm Areva began work on the world's second-biggest uranium mine - ploughing an estimated $1.5bn (£970m) into the project.Under his tenure, the French energy firm Areva began work on the world's second-biggest uranium mine - ploughing an estimated $1.5bn (£970m) into the project.
China National Petroleum Corporation signed a $5bn deal in 2008 to pump oil within three years.China National Petroleum Corporation signed a $5bn deal in 2008 to pump oil within three years.