Ministers resign after presidential inauguration

Pulse Staff 07:22 - 03 April 2016

Niger's incumbent President Mahamadou Issoufou speaks to journalists after voting during the country's presidential and legislative elections in Niamey, Niger, February 21, 2016. REUTERS/Joe Penney

The former French colony has deployed troops against the Nigeria-based extremist group Boko Haram and has also contributed to a regional offensive against the militants.

Nigers government has formally resigned to make way for a new cabinet after the re-election of President

Issoufou was re-elected to a second five-year term in March polls boycotted by the opposition and was sworn into office on Saturday, vowing in a speech to continue the West African nation's fight against terrorism.

The president named Brigi Raffini, his current prime minister, to serve again in office. The prime minister submitted the cabinet's resignation to Issoufou after his inauguration ceremony.

"The resignation was accepted," the statement read. "While waiting for the nomination of ministers, the secretaries-general of the ministers are responsible for current affairs."

The prime minister is responsible for nominating a cabinet, which the president must approve.