Niger: New Chief of Staff Appointed Two Weeks After Military Rebellion

Algiers, Sept 12 (KUNA) -- Niger announced on Saturday that President General Abdourahamane Tchiani appointed a new chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, two weeks after the country experienced a military rebellion. The Nigerien Ministry of Defense stated in a statement broadcast on state television that President Tchiani appointed General Maman Sani Kiao as chief of the General Staff, succeeding General Moussa Salaou Barmou, who had held the position since 2023. According to the statement, Tchiani also appointed General Abdourahamane Abou Zataka as commander of the Army, succeeding General Maman Sani Kiao. He further appointed General Ismael Ka Sid Omar Ka as deputy commander of the Air Force, and Colonel Ibrahim Abderrazak Ben as deputy commander of the Army. Niger witnessed a military rebellion on August 28 last year, led by the Special Reconnaissance Battalion, which targeted the Niamey airport, Air Base 101, and the area surrounding the presidential palace, resulting in the deaths of three members of the presidential guard. Niger has been ruled by a military council headed by General Abdourahamane Tchiani since July 2023. (End) M.R.