India, Sept. 13 -- Niger's junta leader appointed a new armed forces chief, less than two weeks after a deadly mutiny threatened the junta's grip on power.

General Abdourahamane Tchiani named Brig. Gen. Mamane Sani Kiaou chief of staff of the armed forces in a decree read on state television late Friday. No reason was given for the change.

Kiaou replaces Maj. Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou, a junta member who had served as top military commander since the July 2023 coup that ousted democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

The reshuffle followed a nearly 24-hour mutiny in the capital Niamey on Aug. 28 and 29. Mostly young soldiers took other members of the armed forces hostage at Base 101, a military base at Diori Hamani Internationa...