Tandja Mamadou
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| Tandja Mamadou | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office December 22, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Daouda Malam Wanké, |
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| Succeeded by | Incumbent |
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| Born | 1938 Birthplace? |
| Political party | National Movement for the Development of Society |
Colonel (ret.) Tandja Mamadou (born 1938) is a Nigerien politician and current President. His name is sometimes reported as "Mamadou Tandja," which is not used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tandja participated in the 1974 coup that brought Seyni Kountche to power, and he subsequently held positions under Kountche's rule, including that of interior minister.[1][2] In 1991, Tandja defeated Adamou Djermakoye in a contest to become leader of the Mouvement National pour la Societé de Développement (MNSD), the ruling party.[3] Tandja ran for President in the elections of 1993, taking first place in the first round in February with 34.22% of the vote, but then losing to Mahamane Ousmane in the second round in March, taking 45.58% of the vote.[4] Ousmane was subsequently overthrown in a military coup led by Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara on January 27, 1996, and a new presidential election was held on July 7–8, 1996, in which Tandja ran again; this time he took third place with 15.65% of the vote, behind Maïnassara with about 52% and Ousmane with about 20%.[4] On the second day of polling he was placed under house arrest along with the other three opposition candidates and held for two weeks.[5]
In April 1999, Maïnassara was assassinated and a new military government took over. This junta promised a return to democracy within the year, and the elections were held in October and November. Tandja won these elections, receiving first place, 32%, in the first round, and 60% in the second round, defeating former Prime Minister Mahamadou Issoufou. Tandja's National Movement for the Development Society also won the most seats in the parliamentary election in November. Tandja took office on December 22, 1999.[4] He appointed Hama Amadou as his Prime Minister in January 2000.[6]
Niger was heavily in debt and was not receiving any foreign aid due to the 1996 coup and subsequent suspension of democratic institutions. Tandja focused on economic development, negotiating with the civil service unions and with foreign donors. Many did not approve of Tandja's measures in reducing government spending. In 2001, students at the University of Niamey staged violent protests against the reduction of their government grants. On July 31, 2002, some soldiers in Diffa started a mutiny demanding pay and improved living conditions; this briefly spread to Niamey a few days later.[7][8] Loyalists defeated the mutineers and restored peace by August 9, but Tandja came under political fire for his decrees blocking communication about the rebellion.[9][10]
Tandja's position was up for re-election in November 2004. In the first round of those elections, he got first place with 40.7% of the vote, the rest being divided between five opponents. As in 1999, Mahamadou Issoufou got second place, and participated in a runoff with Tandja in December. Tandja was re-elected with 65.5% of the vote, with Issoufou receiving the remaining 34.5%.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ "Tandja wins second term as president in historic first for country", IRIN, December 8, 2004.
- ^ Idy Barou, "Niger's leader - haunted by hunger", BBC.co.uk, August 15, 2005.
- ^ "The rise to power of an opposition party: the MNSD in Niger Republic", Unisa Press, Politeia, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1996.
- ^ a b c d Elections in Niger, African Elections Database.
- ^ "Niger: A major step backwards", October 16, 1996.
- ^ Niger: Country Report on Human Rights Practices, 2000, U.S. Department of State, February 23, 2001.
- ^ "Mutineers detain prefect, mayor and other dignitaries", IRIN, August 1, 2002.
- ^ Troops put down Niger mutiny", BBC.co.uk, August 9, 2002.
- ^ "Security measures relaxed in Diffa", IRIN, September 23, 2002.
- ^ "State of alert threatens independent media - RSF", IRIN, August 7, 2002.
| Preceded by Daouda Malam Wanké |
President of Niger December 22, 1999 – present |
Incumbent |
| Heads of State of Niger |  |
|---|---|
| Hamani Diori • Seyni Kountché • Ali Saibou • Mahamane Ousmane • Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara • Daouda Malam Wanké • Tandja Mamadou |
