NIGER President Mamadou Tandja on Monday reshuffled his government for the first time since the west African country’s fifth republic was formed on January 5, 2000. Prime Minister Hama Amadou was still in charge of a new cabinet of 23 ministers. Ten ministers retained their posts while 13 new faces were brought into the line-up. Four women were put in charge of key ministries — double that of the previous cabinet. – AFP
Monday September 17, 2001