Military, Politicians Meet to Pick Leader

One day after President Ibrahim Bare Mainassara was gunned down by members of his own presidential guard, Niger’s military leadership met with civilian politicians to select a new head of state. While it remained unclear who was behind the shooting, observers said the killing appeared to have support among Niger’s often-fractious military, which took control of the West African nation after the slaying. The lack of army infighting and the quick deployment of soldiers in the streets of Niamey, the capital, after the killing indicated that at least some military units were behind the assassination, diplomats and local journalists said.