Mahamadou Danda
Encyclopedia
Mahamadou Danda is a Niger
ien political figure who was appointed as Prime Minister of Niger by the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy
(CSRD) on 23 February 2010 and left office on 7 April 2011.
in 1951, Danda studied in Niamey
at the National School of Administration. He continued his studies abroad, ultimately obtaining a degree in political science
in France
.
in the 1970s; he was Sub-Prefect of Niamey
from 1979 to 1980 and Sub-Prefect of Filingué
from 1983 to 1987. Following Kountché's death, he was appointed to the government by Ali Saibou
on 20 November 1987, serving as Minister of Animal Resources and Hydraulics until 15 July 1988, when he was dropped from the government. Subsequently he was Administrative Secretary of the National Executive Bureau of the National Movement for the Development of Society
(MNSD) in the early 1990s. Danda also served as Permanent Secretary of the Higher Council of National Orientation for a time.
Multiparty elections were held in 1993. Danda was Chief Technical Adviser to the Prime Minister for Institutional Issues from 23 December 1997 to 16 April 1999.
Following the April 1999 coup d'état
, Danda, who was considered a representative of civil society
, was appointed by the transitional junta as Minister of Communication, Culture, Youth, and Sports, as well as Government Spokesman, on 16 April 1999. He remained in his post as Minister of Communication until the military handed power to an elected government in December 1999.
(as locally-engaged staff) when President Mamadou Tandja was overthrown in another coup
on 18 February 2010. Salou Djibo
, the President of the CSRD, then appointed Danda as Prime Minister on 23 February; however, Danda was not assigned the role of head of government
, which was assumed by Djibo in addition to his role as head of state
.
Danda, who was not a member of any political party, was perceived as a neutral figure. That quality, in addition to his experience, was generally viewed as the reason for his appointment as Prime Minister. Upon his appointment, Danda said that he had "asked for the necessary guarantees to be sure of committing myself in the process leading to a real restoration of democracy". On 1 March 2010, Djibo appointed a transitional government composed of 20 ministers. Five portfolios were assigned to officers, three of whom (including the Minister of Defense) were generals associated with Tandja.
While Tandja's government consistently sought to downplay the problem of famine and hunger—to the point that it was considered "an almost taboo subject"—the CSRD quickly demonstrated a different approach. On 10 March, Danda issued "an emergency appeal" to the international community for aid. According to Danda, 58% of the population could be affected by lack of food; under Tandja, the number had been placed much lower, at about 20%. Danda discussed the government's plans for emergency relief, and the United Nations
and European Union
both promised assistance.
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 political figure who was appointed as Prime Minister of Niger by the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy
Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy
The Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy , led by Salou Djibo, is a military junta that staged a coup in Niger on 18 February 2010, deposing President Mamadou Tandja...
(CSRD) on 23 February 2010 and left office on 7 April 2011.
Background
Born in TahouaTahoua
Tahoua is a city in Niger and the administrative center of the Department of Tahoua and the larger Tahoua Region. It has a population of 99,900 . The city is primarily a market town for the surrounding agricultural area, and a meeting place for the Tuareg people from the north and the Fulani people...
in 1951, Danda studied in 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...
at the National School of Administration. He continued his studies abroad, ultimately obtaining a degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Political career
Danda began working under the regime of Seyni KountchéSeyni Kountché
Seyni Kountché was a Nigerien military officer who led a 1974 coup d'état that deposed the government of Niger's first president, Hamani Diori. He ruled the country as military head of state from 1974 to 1987...
in the 1970s; he was Sub-Prefect of 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...
from 1979 to 1980 and Sub-Prefect of Filingué
Filingue
Filingue is a town in southwestern Niger and is the capital city of Filingue Department. It is near to Niger's capital city Niamey....
from 1983 to 1987. Following Kountché's death, he was appointed to the government by Ali Saibou
Ali Saibou
Ali Saibou was the third President of Niger from 1987 to 1993 succeeding the deceased Seyni Kountché.A member of the Djerma people, he was born in Dingajibanda, a village in the Ouallam arrondissement. Although from Kountché's home village, Saibou is not a cousin...
on 20 November 1987, serving as Minister of Animal Resources and Hydraulics until 15 July 1988, when he was dropped from the government. Subsequently he was Administrative Secretary of the National Executive Bureau of the National Movement for the Development of Society
National Movement for the Development of Society
The National Movement for the Society of Development - MNSD / MNSD-Nassara is a political party in Niger. Founded under the military government of the 1974-1990 period, it was the ruling party of Niger from 1989 to 1993 and again from 1999 until a coup on February 18, 2010, by a military junta...
(MNSD) in the early 1990s. Danda also served as Permanent Secretary of the Higher Council of National Orientation for a time.
Multiparty elections were held in 1993. Danda was Chief Technical Adviser to the Prime Minister for Institutional Issues from 23 December 1997 to 16 April 1999.
Following the April 1999 coup d'état
1999 Nigerien coup d'état
The 1999 Nigerien coup d'état occurred on 9 April 1999 and resulted in the death of President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara and the installation of Daouda Malam Wanké as President on 11 April. Maïnassara was killed at a military base, possibly by members of the Presidential Guard.-Background:Maïnassara,...
, Danda, who was considered a representative of civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
, was appointed by the transitional junta as Minister of Communication, Culture, Youth, and Sports, as well as Government Spokesman, on 16 April 1999. He remained in his post as Minister of Communication until the military handed power to an elected government in December 1999.
2010 events
Danda, who has studied in Canada, held the post of Political Counsellor at the Canadian Embassy to NigerNiger
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...
(as locally-engaged staff) when President Mamadou Tandja was overthrown in another 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...
on 18 February 2010. Salou Djibo
Salou Djibo
Lieutenant General Salou Djibo is a Nigerien military officer. Following the military coup of 18 February 2010, he became head of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy and thus de facto leader of Niger....
, the President of the CSRD, then appointed Danda as Prime Minister on 23 February; however, Danda was not assigned the role of 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...
, which was assumed by Djibo in addition to his role as head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
.
Danda, who was not a member of any political party, was perceived as a neutral figure. That quality, in addition to his experience, was generally viewed as the reason for his appointment as Prime Minister. Upon his appointment, Danda said that he had "asked for the necessary guarantees to be sure of committing myself in the process leading to a real restoration of democracy". On 1 March 2010, Djibo appointed a transitional government composed of 20 ministers. Five portfolios were assigned to officers, three of whom (including the Minister of Defense) were generals associated with Tandja.
While Tandja's government consistently sought to downplay the problem of famine and hunger—to the point that it was considered "an almost taboo subject"—the CSRD quickly demonstrated a different approach. On 10 March, Danda issued "an emergency appeal" to the international community for aid. According to Danda, 58% of the population could be affected by lack of food; under Tandja, the number had been placed much lower, at about 20%. Danda discussed the government's plans for emergency relief, and the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
both promised assistance.