The military officers who seized power in Niger last week have appointed economist Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine as Prime Minister, state TV announced Monday evening.

Zeine is a seasoned technocrat who previously served as Finance Minister under deposed former President Mamadou Tandja from 2002 to 2010. He helped steer Niger through a period of economic and financial turmoil in the early 2000s.

Col. Major Amadou Abdramane also announced Lt. Col. Habibou Assoumane as the new Commander of the Presidential Guard in the junta’s latest moves to consolidate control.

The appointments come as the regional bloc ECOWAS pressures the coup leaders to swiftly restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum or potentially face military intervention. Bazoum remains under house arrest.

Zeine brings lengthy experience from senior government roles and major international financial institutions like the African Development Bank. The 65-year-old trained economist hails originally from the southeast town of Zinder.

While ECOWAS pushes for a return to civilian rule, the junta aims to establish its authority within Niger. But regional and Western powers remain divided on whether military force is an appropriate response to the takeover.