Jump to content

Mamadou Tandja: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎2009 constitutional crisis: 26th May, not 26th March
Line 27: Line 27:


== 1974 coup, the Kountché regime, and the MNSD==
== 1974 coup, the Kountché regime, and the MNSD==
Tandja was born in [[Maïné-Soroa]], Niger.<ref name=Lex/> He participated in the [[1974 Nigerien coup d'état|1974 coup]] that brought [[Seyni Kountché]] to power<ref name=Historic>[http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=44576 "Tandja wins second term as president in historic first for country"], IRIN, December 8, 2004.</ref><ref>Idy Barou, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4152624.stm "Niger's leader - haunted by hunger"], BBC News, August 15, 2005.</ref><ref name=Nou>[http://www.afrique-express.com/archive/OUEST/niger/bio/197tandja.htm "M. Tandja Mamadou, le nouveau président du Niger"], ''Afrique Express'', No. 197, November 28, 1999 {{fr icon}}.</ref> and became a member of the Supreme Military Council. He became Prefect of [[Maradi (department)|Maradi]] in 1976<ref name=Nou/> before being appointed to the government as Minister of the Interior on September 10, 1979; he remained in the latter position until being replaced by Kountché himself on August 31, 1981.<ref>"Oct 1979 - Government Reorganization", ''Keesing's Record of World Events'', Volume 25, October, 1979 Niger, Page 29884.</ref><ref>"Mar 1982 - Government Changes - Other Internal and External Developments", ''Keesing's Record of World Events'', Volume 28, March, 1982 Niger, Page 31404.</ref> He was then Prefect of [[Tahoua (department)|Tahoua]] from 1981 to March 1988, Ambassador to [[Nigeria]] from June 1988 to March 1990, and Minister of the Interior again from March 1990 to March 1991.<ref name=Nou/>
Tandja was concieved through [[sexual intercourse]] in [[Maïné-Soroa]], Niger.<ref name=Lex/> He participated in the [[1974 Nigerien coup d'état|1974 coup]] that brought [[Seyni Kountché]] to power<ref name=Historic>[http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=44576 "Tandja wins second term as president in historic first for country"], IRIN, December 8, 2004.</ref><ref>Idy Barou, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4152624.stm "Niger's leader - haunted by hunger"], BBC News, August 15, 2005.</ref><ref name=Nou>[http://www.afrique-express.com/archive/OUEST/niger/bio/197tandja.htm "M. Tandja Mamadou, le nouveau président du Niger"], ''Afrique Express'', No. 197, November 28, 1999 {{fr icon}}.</ref> and became a member of the Supreme Military Council. He became Prefect of [[Maradi (department)|Maradi]] in 1976<ref name=Nou/> before being appointed to the government as Minister of the Interior on September 10, 1979; he remained in the latter position until being replaced by Kountché himself on August 31, 1981.<ref>"Oct 1979 - Government Reorganization", ''Keesing's Record of World Events'', Volume 25, October, 1979 Niger, Page 29884.</ref><ref>"Mar 1982 - Government Changes - Other Internal and External Developments", ''Keesing's Record of World Events'', Volume 28, March, 1982 Niger, Page 31404.</ref> He was then Prefect of [[Tahoua (department)|Tahoua]] from 1981 to March 1988, Ambassador to [[Nigeria]] from June 1988 to March 1990, and Minister of the Interior again from March 1990 to March 1991.<ref name=Nou/>


In 1991, Tandja emerged as the head of one of two powerful factions in the ruling [[National Movement of the Development Society]] (''Mouvement National pour la Societé de Développement'', MNSD), and at a party congress held in November 1991, he was elected as MNSD President.<ref name=My>Myriam Gervais, "Niger: Regime Change, Economic Crisis, and Perpetuation of Privilege", in ''Political Reform in Francophone Africa'' (1997), ed. John F. Clark and David E. Gardinier, pages 100&ndash;102.</ref> Tandja's obtaining of the party leadership over rival faction leader [[Moumouni Adamou Djermakoye]] marked a departure from the traditional dominance of the party by Djermakoye's [[Zarma]] (Djerma) ethnic group.<ref name=My/><ref name=MNSD>Jibrin Ibrahim and Abdoulayi Niandou Souley, [http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=11625 "The rise to power of an opposition party: the MNSD in Niger Republic"], Unisa Press, Politeia, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1996.</ref>
In 1991, Tandja emerged as the head of one of two powerful factions in the ruling [[National Movement of the Development Society]] (''Mouvement National pour la Societé de Développement'', MNSD), and at a party congress held in November 1991, he was elected as MNSD President.<ref name=My>Myriam Gervais, "Niger: Regime Change, Economic Crisis, and Perpetuation of Privilege", in ''Political Reform in Francophone Africa'' (1997), ed. John F. Clark and David E. Gardinier, pages 100&ndash;102.</ref> Tandja's obtaining of the party leadership over rival faction leader [[Moumouni Adamou Djermakoye]] marked a departure from the traditional dominance of the party by Djermakoye's [[Zarma]] (Djerma) ethnic group.<ref name=My/><ref name=MNSD>Jibrin Ibrahim and Abdoulayi Niandou Souley, [http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=11625 "The rise to power of an opposition party: the MNSD in Niger Republic"], Unisa Press, Politeia, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1996.</ref>

Revision as of 16:10, 28 May 2009

Tandja Mamadou
President of Niger
Assumed office
22 December 1999
Prime MinisterIbrahim Hassane Mayaki
Hama Amadou
Seyni Oumarou
Preceded byDaouda Malam Wanké
Personal details
Born1938
Maïné-Soroa, Niger
Political partyMNSD
SpouseLaraba Tandja

Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Tandja Mamadou[1] (born 1938[2]) is a Nigerien politician who has been the President of Niger since 1999. He was President of the National Movement of the Development Society (MNSD) from 1991 to 1999 and unsuccessfully ran as the MNSD's presidential candidate in 1993 and 1996 before being elected to his first term in 1999. While serving as President of Niger, he was also Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States from 2005 to 2007.

President Tandja is of mixed Fula and Kanuri ancestry.[3] He is the first President of Niger who is not ethnically Hausa or Djerma.[4]

1974 coup, the Kountché regime, and the MNSD

Tandja was concieved through sexual intercourse in Maïné-Soroa, Niger.[2] He participated in the 1974 coup that brought Seyni Kountché to power[5][6][7] and became a member of the Supreme Military Council. He became Prefect of Maradi in 1976[7] before being appointed to the government as Minister of the Interior on September 10, 1979; he remained in the latter position until being replaced by Kountché himself on August 31, 1981.[8][9] He was then Prefect of Tahoua from 1981 to March 1988, Ambassador to Nigeria from June 1988 to March 1990, and Minister of the Interior again from March 1990 to March 1991.[7]

In 1991, Tandja emerged as the head of one of two powerful factions in the ruling National Movement of the Development Society (Mouvement National pour la Societé de Développement, MNSD), and at a party congress held in November 1991, he was elected as MNSD President.[10] Tandja's obtaining of the party leadership over rival faction leader Moumouni Adamou Djermakoye marked a departure from the traditional dominance of the party by Djermakoye's Zarma (Djerma) ethnic group.[10][11]

1993 election

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.[12] Tandja accepted the results and congratulated Ousmane.[11]

Tandja participated in an opposition protest against the government of the Alliance of the Forces of Change ruling coalition on April 16, 1994 and was arrested along with 90 others.[11] Ousmane was overthrown in a military coup led by Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara on January 27, 1996.

1996 election

Under Maïnassara, 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%.[12] On the second day of polling he was placed under house arrest along with the other three opposition candidates and held for two weeks.[13] Following a pro-democracy demonstration on 11 January 1997, Tandja was arrested along with Ousmane and former Prime Minister Mahamadou Issoufou and held until 23 January.[14]

1999 election and first term

In April 1999, Maïnassara was assassinated and a new military government led by Major Daouda Malam Wanké took over. This junta promised a return to democracy within the year, and the elections were held in October and November. Tandja won the presidential election, receiving first place, with 32% of the vote, in the first round, and 59.89% in the second round, defeating Issoufou.[12][15] Tandja received the backing of Ousmane in the second round.[15] The MNSD also won the most seats in the parliamentary election in November 1999[12] and Tandja himself was elected to the National Assembly as an MNSD candidate from Diffa constituency, although due to his concurrent election as President his seat was filled by his substitute, Nassourou Samaila.[16] He took office as President on December 22, 1999.[12] He appointed Hama Amadou as Prime Minister in January 2000.[17]

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.[18][19] Loyalists defeated the mutineers and restored peace by August 9, but Tandja came under political fire for his decrees blocking communication about the rebellion.[20][21]

2004 election and second term

Tandja was a candidate for re-election in the 2004 presidential election. In the first round of the election, held on November 16, he took first place with 40.7% of the vote, the rest being divided between five opponents.[12] As in 1999, Mahamadou Issoufou took second place, and he participated in a runoff with Tandja on December 4. Tandja was re-elected in the second round with 65.53% of the vote, with Issoufou receiving the remaining 34.47%.[12][22] All four of the defeated first round candidates supported Tandja in the second round.[23][24] He was sworn in for his second term on December 21 at a ceremony at the Général Seyni Kountché Stadium in Niamey, which was attended by six other African presidents.[25]

Although there had been speculation about a possible constitutional change to enable Tandja to run again in 2009, he said in an interview with Le Monde, published on October 6, 2007, that he intended to step down at the end of his second term.[26] However, on December 21, 2008, a large rally was held in front of the National Assembly building in Niamey calling for an extension of Tandja's term by three years, so that it would end on December 22, 2012. According to supporters of this proposal—which also called for extending the mandates of the National Assembly and other institutions—a three year extension would be beneficial to the course of Niger's development. Prime Minister Seyni Oumarou was among those taking part in the rally.[27] The opposition furiously denounced this proposal, and a large demonstration opposing the proposal was held in Niamey a few days later.[28] On December 30, 20 non-governmental organizations and unions, including the Democratic Confederation of Workers of Niger (CDTN), formed the United Front for the Safeguarding of Democratic Gains (FUSAD) in opposition to the extension proposal, and they called on Tandja—who had up to that point expressed no opinion on the matter in public—to speak out against the proposal.[29]

2009 constitutional crisis

In the runup to the 2009 elections (presidential, Assembly, and municipal), a movement to draft President Tandja for a third term appeared. Led by public figures of the MNSD outside government, the group took the name of Tandja's 2004 re-election slogan, Tazartché: a Hausa word meaning "Continuity". Through several well funded and well attended public rallies in late 2008, the President remained silent on the calls for him to remain. [30] The 1999 constitution made the serving of more than two terms impossible (article 36), and the revision of that article illegal by any means (article 136). Prime Minister Seyni Oumarou reiterated on 22 January that all scheduled elections would go ahead before the end of 2009.[31] In March, during his meetings with French President Sarkozy, Tandja explicitly stated that he would not seek a third term.[32]

Then, in early May 2009, when questioned by the press on his visit to Agadez to begin peace talks with Tuareg rebels, Tandja announced that "the people have demanded I remain."[33] His spokesman then outlined a plan in which a referendum could be held in mid-2009, not to amend the 1999 constitution, but to scrap it and begin work on a constitution of the Sixth Republic of Niger, which would contain no term limits for the President, and create a fully presidential republic.[34] [35] [36] [37]

On 15 May 2009, in response to their parties' opposition to a proposed referendum to allow the President to seek a third term, the three members of RDP-Jama'a and ANDP-Zaman Lahiya were replaced with ministers drawn from the MNSD-Nassara. With the continued support of the CDS, the MNSD maintained a working majority of 67 seats in the 113-seat National Assembly.[38]

According to the 1999 Constitution of Niger, the President may call a referendum on any matter (except for a revision of those elements of the Constitution outlined in Article 136—including the presidential term limits). The Constitutional Court of Niger and the National Assembly of Niger must advise the president, but there is no provision that the president must heed their advice. On 25 May 2009, the Constitutional Court, made up of appointed judges, released a ruling that any referendum to create a new constitution would be unconstitutional, and further would be a violation of the oath the president had taken on the Koran (a serious matter in Niger, which is overwhelmingly Muslim).[39][40] The week prior, two major parties had come out in their opposition to the referendum proposal as well. On 13 May, the ANDP-Zaman Lahiya, led by Moumouni Adamou Djermakoye, declared its oppostion to any change in the constitution. On 15 May the CDS-Rahama, the party without which the MNSD could not have formed governments in 1999, 2004, and 2007, came out opposing the referendum, and calling the constitution unalterable.[41][42] Neither party moved into the opposition, and both Ousmane and Djermokoye said they were willing to negotiate with the president.[43]

On 26 May, within hours of the Constitutional Court's statement, official media read out a statement that President Tandja had dissolved the National Assembly.[44] Under the 1999 Constitution he is allowed to do this once every two years,[45] but he must call parliamentary elections with three months. This would mean the government of Niger would carry out scheduled parliamentary elections in September, two months early, and a referendum on a new constitution before presidential elections which can take place no later than December, assuming the 1999 constitution is in effect.

Notes and references

  1. ^ His name is sometimes reported as "Mamadou Tandja," which is not used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  2. ^ a b Meyers Lexikon Online, accessed May 20, 2007.
  3. ^ Decalo, Samuel (1997). Historical Dictionary of the Niger (3nd ed.). Boston & Folkestone: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0810831368.: pp.299-300 
  4. ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices — 2003: Niger, U.S. State Department Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, February 25, 2004.
  5. ^ "Tandja wins second term as president in historic first for country", IRIN, December 8, 2004.
  6. ^ Idy Barou, "Niger's leader - haunted by hunger", BBC News, August 15, 2005.
  7. ^ a b c "M. Tandja Mamadou, le nouveau président du Niger", Afrique Express, No. 197, November 28, 1999 Template:Fr icon.
  8. ^ "Oct 1979 - Government Reorganization", Keesing's Record of World Events, Volume 25, October, 1979 Niger, Page 29884.
  9. ^ "Mar 1982 - Government Changes - Other Internal and External Developments", Keesing's Record of World Events, Volume 28, March, 1982 Niger, Page 31404.
  10. ^ a b Myriam Gervais, "Niger: Regime Change, Economic Crisis, and Perpetuation of Privilege", in Political Reform in Francophone Africa (1997), ed. John F. Clark and David E. Gardinier, pages 100–102.
  11. ^ a b c Jibrin Ibrahim and Abdoulayi Niandou Souley, "The rise to power of an opposition party: the MNSD in Niger Republic", Unisa Press, Politeia, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1996.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Elections in Niger, African Elections Database.
  13. ^ "Niger: A major step backwards", October 16, 1996.
  14. ^ "Harassment of Government Opponents has Become Systematic", Amnesty International (UNHCR.org), May 1, 1997.
  15. ^ a b "RAPPORT DE LA MISSION D’OBSERVATION DES ELECTIONS PRESIDENTIELLES ET LEGISLATIVES DES 17 OCTOBRE ET 24 NOVEMBRE 1999", democratie.francophonie.org Template:Fr icon.
  16. ^ List of deputies elected in the 1999 parliamentary election by constituency, National Assembly website (2004 archive) Template:Fr icon.
  17. ^ Niger: Country Report on Human Rights Practices, 2000, U.S. Department of State, February 23, 2001.
  18. ^ "Mutineers detain prefect, mayor and other dignitaries", IRIN, August 1, 2002.
  19. ^ Troops put down Niger mutiny", BBC.co.uk, August 9, 2002.
  20. ^ "Security measures relaxed in Diffa", IRIN, September 23, 2002.
  21. ^ "State of alert threatens independent media - RSF", IRIN, August 7, 2002.
  22. ^ "RAPPORT DE LA MISSION D’OBSERVATION DES ELECTIONS PRESIDENTIELLES ET LEGISLATIVES DES 16 NOVEMBRE ET 4 DECEMBRE 2004", democratie.francophonie.org Template:Fr icon.
  23. ^ "Incumbent wins Niger presidential poll", afrol News, December 8, 2004.
  24. ^ "Présidentielle au Niger: un quatrième parti, le RDP, soutient la candidature de Mamadou Tandja au second tour", Xinhua, November 23, 2004 Template:Fr icon.
  25. ^ "Mamadou Tandja investi en présence de six chefs d'Etats africains", AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), December 21, 2004 Template:Fr icon.
  26. ^ "Le président Tandja s'engage à quitter le pouvoir en 2009", Panapress (Afriquenligne.fr), October 6, 2007 Template:Fr icon.
  27. ^ "Nigerien mass rally calls for extension of presidential mandate", Xinhua, December 22, 2008.
  28. ^ "Thousands protest in Niger against extension of Tandja's rule", AFP, December 27, 2008.
  29. ^ "Niger: création d'un front contre la prolongation du mandat du président Tandja", AFP, December 30, 2008 Template:Fr icon.
  30. ^ Le Président Tandja reste muet sur les appels en faveur d’une prolongation de son mandat. APA 19/12/2008
  31. ^ Niger Plans Election by December, Prime Minister Says. Abdoulaye Ibbo Daddy, Bloomberg news. 22 January 2009.
  32. ^ Niger : « Je suis prêt à partir à la fin de mon mandat », affirme le Président nigérien. APA 28 Mars 2009 11:34
    « je ne cherche pas un autre mandat. Donc je suis très clair là-dessus, je n’ai demandé à aucun nigérien si on peut faire ceci ou cela. Jamais, et je n’ai jamais demandé quoi que ce soit pour changer la constitution nigérienne ou à y chercher des modifications »
  33. ^ Le président de la République Mamadou Tandja: «Le peuple demande que je reste, je ne peux pas rester insensible à son appel.». LE TEMOIN 04 - 08 May 2009.
  34. ^ Chronogramme Tazartché: Bonus de 3 ans pour Tandja, Elections locales et législatives en 2009, Elections présidentielles (auxquelles Tandja pouvait participer) en 2012. LE TEMOIN du 11 au 15 mai 2009
  35. ^ ANNONCE DU RÉFÉRENDUM Le planning du Tazartché. Oumarou Keïta. Republicain-Niger. 15 May 2009.
  36. ^ RÉFÉRENDUM CONSTITUTIONNEL Une présidence à vie s'annonce ! Oumarou Keïta. Republicain-Niger. 15 May 2009.
  37. ^ ALa Cedeao contre la réforme constitutionnelle prévue au Niger . Deutche Welle. 15 May 2009.
  38. ^ Remaniement gouvernemental au Niger, nouveau ministre de la Justice. AFP 15/05/2009
  39. ^ Niger court says third-term referendum unlawful. Reuters. May 26, 2009
  40. ^ La Cour constitutionnelle du Niger s’oppose au projet de changement de constitution APA News. 25 May 2009.
  41. ^ Le principal parti allié de Tandja contre son projet de référendum. AFP 15 May 2009.
  42. ^ Declaration du Bureau Politique CDS Rahama sur le schéma « Tazartché » proposé au président de la république. Bureau Politique CDS-Rahama. 15 May 2009.
  43. ^ Ousmane et Djermokoye espèrent toujours l’ouverture des négociations avec Tandja . LE TEMOIN du 11 au 15 mai 200
  44. ^ Niger's Tandja dissolves parliament. Reuters. May 26, 2009
  45. ^ Matthew Søberg Shugart. Semi-Presidential Systems: Dual Executive and Mixed Authority Patterns. School of International Relations and Pacific Studies. University of California, San Diego (September 2005).
Political offices
Preceded by President of Niger
1999 – present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States
2005 – 2007 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Mamadou_Tandja&oldid=292905219"