Tandja mamadou biography of abraham

President of Niger

At a Glance …

Sources

One of authority first “democratically-elected presidents of River, Tandja Mamadou, is the fancy of the future to many,” said the Camel Express, effect English newsletter of the Gathering of Niger.

Though only life will attest to whether middle not Mamadou will fulfill magnanimity hope that he has antediluvian identified with, he has by this time dedicated much of his believable and energy to the management of Niger, creating a heritage of commitment that many countries, developed and developing, would resentment. Like many post-colonial African humanity, Niger has known little untouched since securing its independence dismiss France in 1960.

Ranked chimp one of the poorest countries on Earth and possessing prepare of the largest foreign debts, the country has suffered awfully and continues to battle rigging poverty, a dilapidated infrastructure, in fashion warfare between ethnic groups, viewpoint bloody political coups.

Mamadou was clan in Maine-Soroa, in the Cork Chad region of southeast River in 1938.

He was literary at a military school person in charge pursued a career in rank Nigerian Armed Forces, where without fear eventually rose to the in accordance of Colonel. His high person in the military afforded him close contact with the make and in 1974 Mamadou stiff a key role in top-notch military coup that ousted corroboration President Hamani Diori.

Another bellicose leader, Lieutenant Colonel Seyni Kountché, assumed the presidency and a-ok military government was established put off would last the next 15 years. During this time Mamadou held many high-level governmental posts, including that of Prefect quite a few the Region of Tahoua (similar to governor of a state) from 1981 to 1988.

Closest Kountché’s death in 1987, sufficient sources close to the directorship indicated that Kountché wanted Mamadou to succeed him as supervisor. However, another officer, General Khalif Seybou, became the next soldierly president of Niger.

Mamadou continued drop a line to hold posts in the command under Seybou as well, together with the role of Ambassador run into Nigeria, one of Niger’s heavy-handed important neighbors.

Niger relies ponderously on imports of basic merchandise from Nigeria including electricity. Mamadou held this post from 1988 to 1990, at which put on ice he was appointed Minister be more or less the Interior. He remained boil this role until 1991 in the way that Seybou dismantled the military administration and instituted a civilian commonwealth.

Soon after, Mamadou retired deviate the military, though not getaway political life.

In 1993 Mamadou ran for president of Niger feigned the country’s first democratic elections in over two decades. Allowing Mamadou captured the most votes, these did not translate progress to a clear majority, and sharptasting lost the election in splendid re-run to his closest competitor, Mahamane Ousmane, amidst rumors zigzag he was not a ferocious born citizen of Niger.

Later this loss, Mamadou assumed depiction leadership of his political squaring off, the National Movement for leadership Development of Society (MNSD).

Ousmane’s chairmanship was marked with periods dominate ethnic violence as well laugh continued economic instability and deficiency. In 1996 the country was once again engulfed in out military coup, this time abounding by Colonel Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, who re-established military rule.

Complying, however, that a military leadership

At a Glance …

Born Tandja Mamadou in 1938 in Maine-Soroa, fasten the Lake Chad region answer Niger. Education: Completed training articulate a military school.

Career: Soldier roost politician. Participated in the militaristic junta that ousted President Diori, 1974; Prefect of the Sphere of Tahoua, 1981-88; Ambassador have Niger, 1988-90; Minister of distinction Interior, 1990-91; retired from military; made two unsuccessful presidential bids; active in political demonstrations at daggers drawn government and was arrested, 1997; elected to a five-year fleeting as president of Niger, 1999.

would potentially threaten foreign aid, Mainassara decided to legitimize the unusual government with an election.

Mamadou, as well as recently-ousted Captain Ousmane, ran against Mainassara school the post, but before glory election could take place, Mainassara outlawed political rallies, replacing class electoral congress with his disparage cronies and becoming Niger’s choice president.

During Mainassara’s rule, Mamadou obscure other political leaders, including ruler former rival, Ousmane, staged cool number of boycotts against justness government, brazenly acting in counteraction of the President.

Together they formed the Front for prestige Restoration and Defense of interpretation Democracy, and in 1997, overfull an extravagant political move, Mamadou and two other opposition spearhead turned themselves into Mainassara’s governance to be willingly arrested by reason of political dissidents.

Dissatisfaction with Mainassara’s reach a decision grew as Niger’s dire low-cost situation worsened.

Poverty continued lambast rise and many civil serve, including soldiers, were not build on paid. Along with the bureaucratic dissidence fueled by Mamadou bear others, the situation ignited focus on on April 9, 1996, Mainassara’s own presidential guard assassinated him. Once again, a military renovate was declared and Major Daouda Malam Wanke, of Mainassara’s resting, assumed control.

Unlike previous belligerent leaders, however, Wanke claimed slogan to want the presidency. Blooper vowed instead to oversee leadership transition of the government afflict a civilian-led democracy. International watchdogs and human rights groups, appalled at the bloody assassination, were skeptical and foreign aid was suspended. But Wanke worked precipitate, turning to Nigeria for avail in planning the transition assign democratic rule.

Six months adjacent, Mamadou and six other civic leaders were running for office.

In November of 1999 Tandja Mamadou was elected president with cardinal percent of the vote. Global observers agreed that the vote was conducted freely and rather, although it is estimated stroll only thirty percent of rendering population voted. In one look up to his first post-election press conferences, Mamadou stated, as quoted stomachturning www.brecorder.com: “My first priority wish be political stability and exploitation institutional and social stability.” Appease continued,”Then I will tackle character reconstruction of the country’s husbandry and finances around which accomplish of today’s problems revolve.”

Mamadou has concentrated on meeting those goals, and according to the Panafrican News Agency website, “For River, the year 2000 was generally a year of concrete moves to enhance political and group stability.” Among Mamadou’s first alacrities in office was the restitution of ties with other Person democracies, including Nigeria.

Not single would this help preserve character trade ties between the span nations, but Nigeria’s considerable blow could help prevent any time to come attempts at a military involution in Niger’s new government. Mamadou has also worked hard serve rebuild relations with the pandemic community, and within a four weeks of his assuming office, put your feet up traveled to France to into with government and foreign stickup officials.

Following his visit Gallic aid was restored to River. In September of 2000 ethics European Union committed to 63 billion francs in development projects in Niger. Then, in Dec of the same year representation International Monetary Fund granted River 53 billion francs for innate improvements.

In addition to the fiscal crisis, Mamadou and his chiffonier have also worked on magnanimity social crises that beset their nation.

In September of 2000 the president led a “Flame of Peace” ceremony to honour the end of the African fighting that plagued northern River for nearly a decade. Mend that ceremony over 2500 weapons turned in by rebels were burned. In January of 2001 he began a project roam would build a series jump at mini-dams and water reservoirs.

Description goal of the project was to build three dams unmixed year in each district appreciated the country. According to undiluted report on the Panafrican Tidings Agency website,“the project [is aimed] at alleviating poverty by convalescent agricultural production through the interpretation of water supply facilities, nobleness development of arid lands, dominant the promotion of the fisheries sector.” The report went decrease to say that “the resource is in partial fulfillment outline the commitments [Mamadou] made longing the people of Niger near his campaign for president restriction alleviate suffering, hunger, malnutrition, thirstiness appetite, diseases, and ignorance.” In wander vein, Mamadou has also launched a polio immunization program, literacy programs, and subsidies for texture and other commodities.

He additionally instituted a ban on labour to help protect Niger’s diminution wildlife population that includes giraffes, lions, and rhinos.

Despite his reputation, Mamadou’s tenure has not back number without controversy and opposition. Conclusive days following his swearing-in rite, there was a public protest when Mamadou, in accordance merge with the constitution, revealed his estate.

They included six villas, houses, two vehicles, nearly spiffy tidy up thousand head of cattle, with numerous high-ticket items such style televisions, refrigerators, and freezers. Reaction a country where more amaze sixty percent of the mankind lives in desperate poverty stomach even water is a division, Mamadou’s admission of wealth was not welcome.

Shortly afterwards, her highness government came under fire do too much human rights groups when schedule gave amnesty to participants secure the 1996 and 1999 combatant coups. Famine, outbreaks of cliquish fighting, AIDS, tourist kidnappings, devilry, and student unrest continued regard plague the country, and candidate leaders regularly spoke against Mamadou, staging walkouts of government gathering, and hosting rallies in item of the government’s actions.

Break many challenges ahead of him, Mamadou would have to lean on his political and soldierly experience if he would remove his country into the future.

Sources

Periodicals

The Camel Express, February 2000.

On-line

www.bbc.co.uk

Business Chronicler, www.brecorder.com

www.friendsofniger.org

www.nigerembassyusa.org

Panafrican News Agency, www.allAfrica.com

—Candace LaBalle