Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum an Arab from the north said the MNJ rebellion could not be repeated because Niger has brought many former Tuareg rebels into the political fold...
The military holds other cards too: the 17 civilians in cabinet are mainly activists from Mahamane's and Hama's own parties; new Premier Adji Boukari was previously deputy Governor of the Banque Centrale des Etats d' Afrique de l' Ouest (thus enjoying some international credibility) and belongs to Mahamane's Convention pour la Démocratie Sociale; Finance Minister Almoustapha Soumaïla who has pleased donors by his devotion to structural adjustment remains at his post; Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum seen as Francophile also keeps his job; the trades union federation led by Ibrahim Mayaki supports the new regime its ban on union and political activities notwithstanding...