Niger’s coup-imposed military regime has formed a new government, with an executive order by the country’s new strongman, General Abduraman Chiani, read out on state television overnight.

The government has 21 members and it was named on the day when the crucial meeting of West African states takes place in Abuja, the capital of neighboring Nigeria.

It is headed by Prime Minister Ali Maaman Lamin Zen, who will have 20 ministers, among whom the defense and interior ministers are generals of the National Council for the Salvation of the Fatherland (NSS, the junta that seized power on July 26).

Leaders of West African states opposed to the military coup will attend a crucial summit in Abuja today after the failure of an ultimatum they gave to the military who seized power on July 26.

Is expected to make “important decisions”, stressed yesterday Tuesday the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO in French, ECOWAS in English), which assures that it prefers the diplomatic route to restore constitutional order in Niger, but leaves open the possibility of using force.

CEDEAO, voiced by Nigeria, which holds its rotating presidency, yesterday spoke out for the first time after it expired a seven-day ultimatum it had given the military to reinstate ousted president Mohammed Bazoum.

But the military in Niamey are similar so far unmoved despite the efforts of the regional organization to negotiate. This raises the increasingly intense concern that in today’s session the option of military intervention will be qualified, which causes fear and criticism in the region.

Yesterday Tuesday a tripartite delegation from CEDEAO, the African Union and the UN tried to go to Niger’s capital — in vain. The coup plotters blocked her road, citing “security” reasons.