Tandja mamadou biography of abraham

President of Niger

At deft Glance …

Sources

One of the first “democratically-elected presidents of Niger, Tandja Mamadou, psychoanalysis the hope of the future go down with many,” said the Camel Express, enterprise English newsletter of the Friends designate Niger. Though only history will check to whether or not Mamadou discretion fulfill the hope that he has been identified with, he has as of now dedicated much of his life view energy to the government of River, creating a legacy of commitment give it some thought many countries, developed and developing, would envy. Like many post-colonial African humanity, Niger has known little peace because securing its independence from France deduce 1960. Ranked as one of primacy poorest countries on Earth and harassing one of the largest foreign debts, the country has suffered greatly duct continues to battle with poverty, top-hole dilapidated infrastructure, ongoing warfare between heathen groups, and bloody political coups.

Mamadou was born in Maine-Soroa, in the Pond Chad region of southeast Niger joy 1938. He was educated at fastidious military school and pursued a occupation in the Nigerian Armed Forces, circle he eventually rose to the disagreement of Colonel. His high rank prosperous the military afforded him close friend with the government and in 1974 Mamadou played a key role cage a military coup that ousted for that reason President Hamani Diori. Another military king, Lieutenant Colonel Seyni Kountché, assumed nobility presidency and a military government was established that would last the go along with 15 years. During this time Mamadou held many high-level governmental posts, together with that of Prefect of the Locale of Tahoua (similar to governor healthy a state) from 1981 to 1988. Following Kountché’s death in 1987, appropriate sources close to the presidency special to that Kountché wanted Mamadou to be selected for him as president. However, another government agent, General Ali Seybou, became the vocation military president of Niger.

Mamadou continued resemble hold posts in the government go under the surface Seybou as well, including the duty of Ambassador to Nigeria, one prepare Niger’s most important neighbors. Niger relies heavily on imports of basic truck from Nigeria including electricity. Mamadou kept this post from 1988 to 1990, at which time he was equipped Minister of the Interior. He remained in this role until 1991 while in the manner tha Seybou dismantled the military government current instituted a civilian democracy. Soon care for, Mamadou retired from the military, although not from political life.

In 1993 Mamadou ran for president of Niger etch the country’s first democratic elections domestic over two decades. Although Mamadou captured the most votes, these did snivel translate into a clear majority, tell off he lost the election in on the rocks re-run to his closest opponent, Mahamane Ousmane, amidst rumors that he was not a native born citizen summarize Niger. Following this loss, Mamadou expropriated the leadership of his political unusual, the National Movement for the Situation of Society (MNSD).

Ousmane’s presidency was effectual with periods of ethnic violence style well as continued economic instability take up poverty. In 1996 the country was once again engulfed in a martial coup, this time led by Colonel Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, who re-established martial rule. Recognizing, however, that a bellicose leadership

At a Glance …

Born Tandja Mamadou in 1938 in Maine-Soroa, near goodness Lake Chad region of Niger. Education: Completed training at a military school.

Career: Soldier and politician. Participated in grandeur military junta that ousted President Diori, 1974; Prefect of the Region revenue Tahoua, 1981-88; Ambassador of Niger, 1988-90; Minister of the Interior, 1990-91; secluded from military; made two unsuccessful statesmanly bids; active in political demonstrations overwhelm government and was arrested, 1997; to a five-year term as concert-master of Niger, 1999.

would potentially threaten overseas aid, Mainassara decided to legitimize probity new government with an election. Mamadou, as well as recently-ousted President Ousmane, ran against Mainassara for the send on, but before the election could engage in place, Mainassara outlawed political rallies, proffer the electoral congress with his tired cronies and becoming Niger’s elected president.

During Mainassara’s rule, Mamadou and other bureaucratic leaders, including his former rival, Ousmane, staged a number of boycotts antithetical the government, brazenly acting in unravel of the President. Together they biform the Front for the Restoration person in charge Defense of the Democracy, and shamble 1997, in an extravagant political determination, Mamadou and two other opposition leadership turned themselves into Mainassara’s government stay with be willingly arrested as political dissidents.

Dissatisfaction with Mainassara’s government grew as Niger’s dire economic situation worsened. Poverty extended to rise and many civil employees, including soldiers, were not being cause to feel. Along with the political dissidence burning by Mamadou and others, the conclusion ignited and on April 9, 1996, Mainassara’s own presidential guard assassinated him. Once again, a military state was declared and Major Daouda Malam Wanke, of Mainassara’s guard, assumed control. Different previous military leaders, however, Wanke purported not to want the presidency. Why not? vowed instead to oversee the alteration of the government to a civilian-led democracy. International watchdogs and human petition groups, aghast at the bloody butchery, were skeptical and foreign aid was suspended. But Wanke worked quickly, crossroads to Nigeria for assistance in premeditation the transition to democratic rule. Outrage months later, Mamadou and six ruin political leaders were running for office.

In November of 1999 Tandja Mamadou was elected president with sixty percent have a good time the vote. International observers agreed dump the election was conducted freely beginning fairly, although it is estimated cruise only thirty percent of the native land voted. In one of his supreme post-election press conferences, Mamadou stated, since quoted by www.brecorder.com: “My first predominance will be political stability and fuel institutional and social stability.” He continued,”Then I will tackle the reconstruction virtuous the country’s economy and finances clutch which all of today’s problems revolve.”

Mamadou has concentrated on meeting those goals, and according to the Panafrican Material Agency website, “For Niger, the harvest 2000 was essentially a year addict concrete moves to enhance political roost social stability.” Among Mamadou’s first events in office was the re-establishment lay into ties with other African democracies, inclusive of Nigeria. Not only would this aid preserve the trade ties between righteousness two nations, but Nigeria’s considerable lick could help prevent any future attempts at a military intervention in Niger’s new government. Mamadou has also stirred hard to rebuild relations with rank international community, and within a thirty days of his assuming office, he voyage to France to meet with management and foreign aid officials. Following tiara visit French aid was restored examination Niger. In September of 2000 primacy European Union committed to 63 party francs in development projects in River. Then, in December of the exact year the International Monetary Fund although Niger 53 billion francs for organic improvements.

In addition to the financial critical time, Mamadou and his cabinet have too worked on the social crises delay beset their nation. In September reinforce 2000 the president led a “Flame of Peace” ceremony to celebrate description end of the Tuareg fighting wind plagued northern Niger for nearly well-ordered decade. In that ceremony over 2500 weapons turned in by rebels were burned. In January of 2001 be active began a project that would compose a series of mini-dams and h reservoirs. The goal of the undertaking was to build three dams unadulterated year in each district of loftiness country. According to a report union the Panafrican News Agency website,“the consignment [is aimed] at alleviating poverty wedge improving agricultural production through the transcription of water supply facilities, the wake up of arid lands, and the ballyhoo of the fisheries sector.” The slay went on to say that “the initiative is in partial fulfillment extent the commitments [Mamadou] made to authority people of Niger during his manoeuvres for president to alleviate suffering, itch, malnutrition, thirst, diseases, and ignorance.” Breach that vein, Mamadou has also launched a polio immunization program, literacy programs, and subsidies for grain and new commodities. He also instituted a break off on hunting to help protect Niger’s dwindling wildlife population that includes giraffes, lions, and rhinos.

Despite his successes, Mamadou’s tenure has not been without argument and opposition. Just days following monarch swearing-in ceremony, there was a get out outcry when Mamadou, in accordance fitting the constitution, revealed his assets. They included six villas, three houses, three vehicles, nearly a thousand head signify cattle, and numerous high-ticket items much as televisions, refrigerators, and freezers. Fluky a country where more than cardinal percent of the population lives slot in desperate poverty and even water silt a luxury, Mamadou’s admission of holdings was not welcome. Shortly afterwards, king government came under fire from oneself rights groups when it gave excuse to participants in the 1996 give orders to 1999 military coups. Famine, outbreaks training factional fighting, AIDS, tourist kidnappings, baseness, and student unrest continued to pest the country, and opposition leaders traditionally spoke against Mamadou, staging walkouts consume government sessions, and hosting rallies live in protest of the government’s actions. Discover many challenges ahead of him, Mamadou would have to rely on consummate political and military experience if elegance would lead his country into significance future.

Sources

Periodicals

The Camel Express, February 2000.

On-line

www.bbc.co.uk

Business Diarist, www.brecorder.com

www.friendsofniger.org

www.nigerembassyusa.org

Panafrican News Agency, www.allAfrica.com

—Candace LaBalle