Ali Badjo Gamatié
Encyclopedia
Ali Badjo Gamatié is a Niger
ien politician and civil servant who served as Prime Minister of Niger from October 2009 to February 2010. He was Finance Minister of Niger from 2000 to 2003 and then served as Vice-Governor of the Central Bank of West African States
(BCEAO) before being appointed as Prime Minister by President Mamadou Tandja. Gamatié was Prime Minister for only a few months, however, as Tandja was overthrown in a February 2010 military coup
.
, which was named on 5 January 2000, Gamatié was included as Minister of Finance. As Finance Minister, Gamatié was an international advocate for the total cancellation of foreign debts of Niger and other Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
(HIPC). He was involved in IMF
negotiations on the debt status of these nations. As Finance Minister he also raised questions about the accountability and representativeness of non-governmental organization
s and civil society groups operating in Niger and elsewhere. During his term as Minister, Gamatié oversaw a period of major government cutbacks during a 2002 finance crisis.
In July 2003, journalist Mamane Abou of Le Républicain newspaper in Niamey was arrested for defamation after he wrote an article accusing Gamatié and Hama Amadou of using unauthorized Treasury funds to pay for government contracts. The Finance Minister was also criticized by the opposition for sponsoring 2001 legislation which would dramatically raise taxes on private newspaper publishers, which they feared would bankrupt the opposition press. In October 2003, Gamatié was replaced as Finance Minister by Ali Lamine Zeine. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Gamatié was close to Prime Minister Amadou, then seen as a potential rival of President Tandja. Foreign analysis concluded that because of his relationship with the Prime Minister, Gamatié's removal "...may have involved political considerations".
In October 2003, Gamatié was appointed Vice-Governor of the Central Bank of West African States
(BCEAO). In 2006 he was on a short list of four candidates to replace Charles Konan Banny
as Governor of the bank.
The Nigerien press reported that opposition leader Mahamadou Issoufou
had in 2007 proposed that Gamatié—rather than eventual Prime Minister Seyni Oumarou
—lead a government of national unity when President Tandja sought opposition involvement in the new government following Hama Amadou's removal. During the corruption court cases against Hama Amadou in 2008, Gamatié testified that the 100 million CFA francs Amadou was charged with taking from the treasury were diverted without the Finance Minister's knowledge.
In 2008, Gamatié served as Special Adviser to the President for Mineral Affairs and as chief government negotiator with French uranium mining company Areva, leading to a deal which saw a 1 billion Euro investment in Niger's Imouraren mining site.
In August 2009 the Nigerien press reported that Gamatié was a supporter of President Tandja's drive to extend his mandate and create a new constitution. Tandja's constitutional referendum, which established a presidential system
and reduced the importance of the office of Prime Minister by making the President the head of government
, was successful; Gamatié was subsequently appointed as Prime Minister on 2 October 2009.
Tandja was ousted in a military coup on 18 February 2010 and his government was dissolved. Gamatié was one of only three ministers who were not promptly released from house arrest
in the days after the coup. According to one of the junta leaders, Colonel Djibrilla Hamidou Hima, the ministers "still under surveillance" had held "very sensitive portfolios" and therefore it was necessary "to ensure their security". The MNSD called for the release of Gamatié, Tandja, and the others.
Suffering from high blood pressure, Gamatié was released from house arrest on 4 March and was promptly hospitalized at the National Hospital of Niamey. After three days there, he was taken to Paris
for medical treatment early on 8 March and since did not return to Niger to answer the many allegations he is accused of.
Niger
Niger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
ien politician and civil servant who served as Prime Minister of Niger from October 2009 to February 2010. He was Finance Minister of Niger from 2000 to 2003 and then served as Vice-Governor of the Central Bank of West African States
Central Bank of West African States
The Central Bank of West African States is a central bank serving the eight west African countries which comprise the West African Economic and Monetary Union:*Benin*Burkina Faso*Cote d'Ivoire*Guinea Bissau*Mali*Niger*Senegal*Togo-See also:...
(BCEAO) before being appointed as Prime Minister by President Mamadou Tandja. Gamatié was Prime Minister for only a few months, however, as Tandja was overthrown in a February 2010 military coup
2010 Nigerien coup d'état
A coup d'état occurred in Niger on 18 February 2010. Soldiers attacked the presidential palace in Niamey under weapons fire at midday and captured President Mamadou Tandja, who was chairing a government meeting at the time...
.
Political background
In the first government of Prime Minister Hama AmadouHama Amadou
Hama Amadou is a Nigerien politician who was Prime Minister of Niger from 1995 to 1996 and again from 2000 to 2007. He was also Secretary-General of the National Movement for the Development of Society from 1991 to 2001 and President of the MNSD-Nassara from 2001 to 2009...
, which was named on 5 January 2000, Gamatié was included as Minister of Finance. As Finance Minister, Gamatié was an international advocate for the total cancellation of foreign debts of Niger and other Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries is a group of 40 developing countries with high levels of poverty and debt overhang which are eligible for special assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.- History and structure :...
(HIPC). He was involved in IMF
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
negotiations on the debt status of these nations. As Finance Minister he also raised questions about the accountability and representativeness of non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
s and civil society groups operating in Niger and elsewhere. During his term as Minister, Gamatié oversaw a period of major government cutbacks during a 2002 finance crisis.
In July 2003, journalist Mamane Abou of Le Républicain newspaper in Niamey was arrested for defamation after he wrote an article accusing Gamatié and Hama Amadou of using unauthorized Treasury funds to pay for government contracts. The Finance Minister was also criticized by the opposition for sponsoring 2001 legislation which would dramatically raise taxes on private newspaper publishers, which they feared would bankrupt the opposition press. In October 2003, Gamatié was replaced as Finance Minister by Ali Lamine Zeine. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Gamatié was close to Prime Minister Amadou, then seen as a potential rival of President Tandja. Foreign analysis concluded that because of his relationship with the Prime Minister, Gamatié's removal "...may have involved political considerations".
In October 2003, Gamatié was appointed Vice-Governor of the Central Bank of West African States
Central Bank of West African States
The Central Bank of West African States is a central bank serving the eight west African countries which comprise the West African Economic and Monetary Union:*Benin*Burkina Faso*Cote d'Ivoire*Guinea Bissau*Mali*Niger*Senegal*Togo-See also:...
(BCEAO). In 2006 he was on a short list of four candidates to replace Charles Konan Banny
Charles Konan Banny
Charles Konan Banny was Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire from 7 December 2005 until 4 April 2007.Banny joined the Central Bank of West African States in 1976, holding various positions in the Bank over the years. In 1988 he became Special Advisor to the Governor of BCEAO...
as Governor of the bank.
The Nigerien press reported that opposition leader Mahamadou Issoufou
Mahamadou Issoufou
Mahamadou Issoufou is a Nigerien politician who has been President of Niger since 7 April 2011. Previously he was Prime Minister of Niger from 1993 to 1994 and President of the National Assembly from 1995 to 1996, and he has stood as a candidate in each presidential election since 1993.Issoufou...
had in 2007 proposed that Gamatié—rather than eventual Prime Minister Seyni Oumarou
Seyni Oumarou
Seyni Oumarou is a Nigerien politician who was Prime Minister of Niger from June 2007 to September 2009 and President of the National Assembly of Niger from November 2009 to February 2010. He is from the west of the country and is a member of the Djerma ethnic group...
—lead a government of national unity when President Tandja sought opposition involvement in the new government following Hama Amadou's removal. During the corruption court cases against Hama Amadou in 2008, Gamatié testified that the 100 million CFA francs Amadou was charged with taking from the treasury were diverted without the Finance Minister's knowledge.
In 2008, Gamatié served as Special Adviser to the President for Mineral Affairs and as chief government negotiator with French uranium mining company Areva, leading to a deal which saw a 1 billion Euro investment in Niger's Imouraren mining site.
In August 2009 the Nigerien press reported that Gamatié was a supporter of President Tandja's drive to extend his mandate and create a new constitution. Tandja's constitutional referendum, which established a presidential system
Presidential system
A presidential system is a system of government where an executive branch exists and presides separately from the legislature, to which it is not responsible and which cannot, in normal circumstances, dismiss it....
and reduced the importance of the office of Prime Minister by making the President the head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
, was successful; Gamatié was subsequently appointed as Prime Minister on 2 October 2009.
Tandja was ousted in a military coup on 18 February 2010 and his government was dissolved. Gamatié was one of only three ministers who were not promptly released from house arrest
House arrest
In justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
in the days after the coup. According to one of the junta leaders, Colonel Djibrilla Hamidou Hima, the ministers "still under surveillance" had held "very sensitive portfolios" and therefore it was necessary "to ensure their security". The MNSD called for the release of Gamatié, Tandja, and the others.
Suffering from high blood pressure, Gamatié was released from house arrest on 4 March and was promptly hospitalized at the National Hospital of Niamey. After three days there, he was taken to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
for medical treatment early on 8 March and since did not return to Niger to answer the many allegations he is accused of.