The powerful Islamic Sokoto Empire dissolved as the French took Niger over between 1883 and 1901. Hamani Diori's one-party PPN state. 1968 French open uranium mines. 1974 Military coup.
Uranium boom ends.
Gen. Saibou eases transition to democracy. 1990 Tuareg rebellion begins. 1993 Democratic elections. 1996 Military coup. Gen. Mainassara tries to legitimize rule through staged elections.