Niger
A brief history of Niger
The recent ousting of Niger's president Mamadou Tandja is the latest in a series of seizures of power since the country became independent fifty years ago. A chronology of coups, elections and delicate peace agreements with the country's Tuareg rebel groups.
Issued on: Modified:
Advertising
- 1890s – France colonises Niger.
- 18 December 1958 – Niger becomes an autonomous republic.
- 3 August 1960 – Niger gains independence from France. Diori Hamani becomes first president.
- 30 September 1965 - Hamani is re-elected.
- 1 October 1970 – Hamani is re-elected.
- 15 April 1974 – Hamani is overthrown in a coup led by Lieutenant Colonel Seyni Kountché.
- 15 March 1976 – Attempted coup led by Commander Bayère Moussa and Captain Sidi Mohammed.
- 24 January 1983 – Oumarou Mamane is appointed as the first Prime Minister of Niger.
- May 1983 – Student strikes.
- 17 April 1984 – Release of former President Diori Hamani.
- 10 November 1987 – Death of Lieutenant Colonel Seyni Kountché. Ali Saïbou is named as president of the military supreme council and head of state.
- 24 September 1989 – New constitution adopted by referendum.
- 10 December 1989 - Ali Saïbou elected as president.
- 15 November 1990 – Introduction of multi-party system.
- January 1992 – Tuareg rebellion.
- 28 February 1992 – Military mutiny.
- 26 December 1992 – Adoption of new constitution by referendum.
- 27 March 1993 – Mahamane Ousmane elected as president.
- 9 October 1994 – Peace agreement between government and Tuareg rebels.
- 27 January 1996 – Military coup. General Barré Maïnassara takes power.
- 7 July 1996 – Maïnassara is elected president in first round of election.
- 9 April 1999 – Maïnassara is killed.
- 11 April 1999 – Commander Daouda Mallam Wanké is named head of state.
- 24 November 1999 – Mamadou Tandja is elected president of new government.
- 4 December 2004 – Tandja re-elected in second round run-off vote.
- 8 February 2007 – Insurgency in the north of Niger led by Tuareg militants. Arms laid down in late 2009.
- 4 August 2009 – A new constitution is confirmed by referendum enabling Tandja to stay in power.
- 20 October 2009 – Legislative elections are boycotted by opposition parties.
- 18 February 2010 – Tandja is removed in a coup. Major Salou Djibo named as head of junta.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe