The minister for industry and trade, as well as the one in charge of lands and housing, were replaced through a decree read out on national television on Wednesday.

Donatien Nagalo’s appointment as trade minister had faced opposition by traders’ associations, who accused him of malpractices as a former head of the country’s national union of traders.

He has now been replaced by Serge Gnaniodem Poda, an executive of BCEAO, the central bank of the common regional currency.

Mikailou Sidibé replaces Yacouba Dié, whose appointment as lands and housing minister had also been challenged by a wave of protests over alleged poor implementation of a past government housing project.

Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambéla formed the first transitional military government under Captain Ibrahim Traoré on 25 October.

Before replacing the two ministers, he had justified their appointment saying that a background check had found nothing incriminating against them.