Daouda Malam Wanké
Encyclopedia
Daouda Malam Wanké 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 while others 1946.
, 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. 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 which promised to hold elections later that year.
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.
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...
. He was a member of Hausa
Hausa people
The Hausa are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. They are a Sahelian people chiefly located in northern Nigeria and southeastern Niger, but having significant numbers living in regions of Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad and Sudan...
ethnic group.
Wanké's year of birth is disputed. Many sources claim it is 1954 while others 1946.
Biography
He was born in YellouYellou
Yellou is a village in the Kayao Department of Bazèga Province in central Burkina Faso. The village has a population of 615. It is the birthplace of former President of Niger Daouda Malam Wanké....
, a town near Niger's capital, Niamey
Niamey
-Population:While Niamey's population has grown steadily since independence, the droughts of the early 1970s and 1980s, along with the economic crisis of the early 1980s, have propelled an exodus of rural inhabitants to Niger's largest city...
. He entered the Niger military
Military of Niger
The Niger Armed Forces comprises both the military and national police services of the West African nation of Niger, totaling around 12,000 active personnel and 5,000 reservists...
, rising to the rank of Major. On April 9, 1999, he led a military coup in which President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara
Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara
Colonel Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara was a military officer in the West African country of Niger who seized power in a January 1996 coup d'état and ruled the country until his assassination during the military coup of April 1999....
, who himself had come to power in a military coup, was assassinated. For two days there was much political uncertainty in Niger, as the Prime Minister, Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki
Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki
Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki was Prime Minister of Niger from November 27, 1997, to January 3, 2000.-Fourth Republic:Under President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, who seized power in a January 1996 coup, Mayaki was named Deputy Minister for Cooperation, under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, André Salifou,...
and several others also had claims on the Presidency. On April 11, 1999, Wanké became President, heading a transitional government which promised to hold elections later that year.
Wanké's government fulfilled its promise, and turned over power to the newly elected president, Tandja Mamadou
Tandja Mamadou
Lieutenant Colonel Mamadou Tandja is a Nigerien politician who was President of Niger from 1999 to 2010. He was President of the National Movement of the Development Society from 1991 to 1999 and unsuccessfully ran as the MNSD's presidential candidate in 1993 and 1996 before being elected to his...
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
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
for medical treatment. He finally died in Niamey. He is survived by a wife and three children.