Hamani Diori

**Hamani Diori** (6 June 1916 – 23 April 1989) be de first President of de Republic of Niger. Dem appoint am for dat office insyd 1960, when Niger get independence from France. Even though corruption dey common under ein administration, e earn international respect for how e stand as spokesman for African affairs plus as popular arbitrator for conflicts. Ein rule end with one military coup insyd 1974.

## Early life
Dem born Hamani Diori insyd Soudouré, near de capital, Niamey. E be son of one public health officer wey dey inside de French colonial administration. E attend William Ponty Teachers’ Training College for Dakar, Senegal, plus e work as teacher for Niger from 1936 go 1938. Later, e become Hausa den Djerma foreign language instructor for de Institute of Study Abroad insyd Paris.

## Independence activism
Insyd 1946, while e dey work as headmaster of one school for Niger ein capital city Niamey, e become one of de founders of de Nigerien Progressive Party (PPN), wey be regional branch of de African Democratic Rally (RDA). Later dat same year, dem elect am enter de French National Assembly. Insyd 1951 election, Diori lose to ein cousin den political rival, Djibo Bakary. But for 1956, dem elect am again enter de assembly, plus dem choose am as deputy-speaker.

Insyd 1958, after referendum wey grant Niger self-government, Diori become president of de provisional government. Then e become Prime Minister of de republic for 1959.

## Presidency
Niger gain independence from France on 3 August 1960, den Diori get elected as president by de country ein national assembly insyd November 1960. E organize strong coalition of Hausa, Fula, plus (most prominently) Djerma leaders, including chiefs plus traditionalists, to support Niger ein independence referendum. Through dat support, Diori earn favor from France.

Soon after independence, Diori make de PPN de only legally permitted party. Ein government favor make traditional social structures remain plus make close economic connection with France continue. From early 1960s, e rule through small number of pre-independence figures wey sit on top de PPN Politburo, plus e mostly bypass even de cabinet. Apart from being president of de republic plus president of de PPN, Diori directly lead several Ministries. From 1960 go 1963, e serve as ein own defence minister plus foreign minister, den e take over de Foreign Ministry again from 1965 go 1967. Most prominent plus maybe most powerful among Diori ein advisers be writer plus President of de National Assembly of Niger, Boubou Hama, wey one writer call “eminence grise” behind Diori ein rule. De National Assembly of Niger dey meet for yearly sittings wey mostly ceremonial, to ratify government positions. Traditional notables, wey dem elect as parliamentary representatives, dey often endorse government proposals unanimously. As president of de PPN, Diori be de only candidate for president of de republic, so dem re-elect am unopposed for 1965 plus 1970.

E earn worldwide respect sake of how e serve as spokesman for African affairs plus as popular arbitrator for conflicts between other African nations. But for house, ein administration full of corruption, plus de government no fit implement urgent reforms or reduce de widespread famine wey come from de Sahelian drought of early 1970s. As criticism from de country increase over ein neglect of domestic matters, Diori crush one coup insyd December 1963, wey happen same time with one border wahala with Republic of Dahomey. E still narrowly escape assassination insyd 1965. Faced with military coup attempt plus attacks from Sawaba members, e use French advisers plus troops to strengthen ein rule. De strong connection with France bring student den union protests wey dem call “French neocolonialism.” But later, ein relationship with France get problem after ein government show dissatisfaction about de level of investment in uranium production when Georges Pompidou visit Niger insyd 1972.

## Unrest den fall
Widespread civil disorder happen after allegations come out say some government ministers dey misappropriate food aid stocks, plus dem accuse Diori say e dey consolidate power. Diori limit cabinet appointments to fellow Djerma, family members, plus close friends. E still acquire new powers by declaring ein self as minister of foreign den defense affairs. On 15 April 1974, Lieutenant Colonel Seyni Kountché lead one military coup wey end Diori ein rule. Diori ein wife, First Lady Aissa Diori, die during de coup, while dem imprison Diori for six years. After dem release am insyd 1980, e remain under house arrest until 1987.

After dem release am from house arrest, e move go Morocco, where e die on 23 April 1989 at age 72.

## References


## External links

*Appiah, Kwame Anthony & Gates Jr, Henry Louis: Africana: *The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience*: Basic Civitas Books: New York: 1999
*André Salifou. Hamani Diori. pp.&nbsp;67–97 in La francophonie des "Pères fondateurs", Papa Alioune Ndao (ed.). Paris: KARTHALA Editions, (2008)  
*page on the French National Assembly website