Photo Credit -AFP via Getty Images)

Niger’s ruling military junta has formed a new government, according to a decree announced Wednesday night by leader General Abdourahamane Tiani.

The 21-member cabinet is headed by Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, appointed earlier this week. It includes 20 ministerial positions, with two key security posts going to generals from the junta’s National Salvation Council.

The move comes just before a critical summit of West African leaders in Abuja on Thursday to assess the situation in Niger after last week’s coup. The regime appears to be consolidating control and defying regional pressure to swiftly restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

ECOWAS has stated it prefers diplomatic channels but maintains the threat of force to reinstate the elected president. However, the junta regards ECOWAS as biased toward former colonial power France.

On Wednesday, the officers accused France of violating closed airspace with a military plane and alleged ECOWAS had “freed terrorists.” France denied the allegations.

The new government marks a show of strength by Niger’s military rulers. ECOWAS leaders have difficult decisions ahead on how to respond to the unconstitutional takeover during their vital summit.