Daouda Malam Wanké

Daouda Malam Wanké
President of Niger
In office April 11, 1999 – December 22, 1999
Prime Minister	Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki
Preceded by	Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara
Succeeded by	Mamadou Tandja
Personal details
Born	disputed, 1946 or 1954 near Niamey, Niger, French West Africa
Died	September 15, 2004 Niamey, Niger
Political party	Military rule

Daouda Malam Wanké (1946 or 1954 – September 15, 2004) was a military and political leader in Niger. He was a member of Hausa ethnic group.

Wanké's year of birth is disputed. Many sources claim it is 1954^[1] while others 1946.^[2]

Biography

He was born in Yellou, a town near Niger's capital, Niamey. He entered the Niger military, rising to the rank of Major. On April 9, 1999, he led a military coup in which President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, who himself had come to power in a military coup, was assassinated.^[3] For two days there was much political uncertainty in Niger, as the Prime Minister, Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki and several others also had claims on the Presidency. On April 11, 1999, Wanké became President, heading a transitional government that promised to hold elections later that year.^[4]

Wanké's government fulfilled its promise, and turned over power to the newly elected president, Tandja Mamadou in December 1999. Wanké consequently suffered from various health problems, including cardiovascular troubles and high blood pressure. During the last months of his life, he traveled to Libya, Morocco and Switzerland for medical treatment. He finally died in Niamey. He is survived by a wife and three children.

References

Heads of state of Niger Hamani Diori Seyni Kountché Ali Saibou Mahamane Ousmane Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara Daouda Malam Wanké Mamadou Tandja Salou Djibo Mahamadou Issoufou