Mauritania ? Mauritania’s self-declared head of state on Sunday named a new prime minister to replace the former premier who resigned along with his Cabinet after last week’s coup. A judge freed 21 people who had been detained for plotting against the ousted regime, a U.S. ally.

Junta leader Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall named Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar as prime minister, the government said in a statement.

The appointment followed the resignation earlier Sunday of former Prime Minister Sghair Ould M’Bareck and his Cabinet.

Cabinet ministers had not shown up for work since Wednesday’s surprise coup toppled longtime President Maaoya Sid’Ahmed Ould Taya, currently in exile in nearby Niger.

Boubacar served as prime minister from 1992-1996 and also headed Taya’s former ruling party until being posted to Paris.