Nigerien Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally
Encyclopedia
The Nigerien Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA) is a political party
in Niger
. It was the leading political party of the pre-independence era, becoming the sole legal party of the First Republic (1960-1974). It was led by Niger's first President, Hamani Diori. After the end of military rule, the party reappeared as a minor parliamentary party led by Diori's son, Abdoulaye Hamani Diori
.
and French Equatorial Africa
to form the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain (African Democratic Rally
-- RDA ). Under the leadership of Hamani Diori
, the PPN paired appeals to traditional society within what was then the Colony of Niger
while its representatives worked with the French Communist Party
in France, which was then the only force supporting independence for France's colonial possessions.
In 1946 the single pro-Independence party in Niger was the Nigerien Progressive Party (PPN), of which Hamani Diori
and Djibo Bakary
were the most prominent members, and which numbered only 5000 members. Simultaneously, these colonial territories were allowed limited representation in the French National Assembly
, with Niger allotted one seat in 1946 and a second in 1948. PPN Party leader Hamani Diori
filled the first, and a French educated Niamey lawyer, Djibo Bakary
filled the second. Bakary, a leftist, helped push the party -- already perceived as anti-French -- in a populist direction. The PPN was allied to the pan-colony African Democratic Rally
(RDA), which itself caucused with the French Communist Party
in the National Assembly. Some elements, such as RDA leader Félix Houphouët-Boigny
, were uncomfortable with this connection. Many in the PPN felt the same way, while many other, grouped around Bakary and the tiny Nigerien Trades Union movement, pulled to the left. Earlier splits of the PPN, of conservative Djerma
traditional leaders and a small Franco-Nigerien contingent in 1946, were added to 1948 in reaction to Bakary and his circle and to the continued association with the RDA. Harou Kouka and Georges Condat split to form a group ("Parti Independent du Niger-Est PINE") that quickly joined with previous dissidents to create the Union of Nigerien Independents and Sympathizers (UNIS). This relatively conservative coalition benefited from French support, and gained control of the consultative institutions of the Niger colony from 1948-1952. Diori, much like RDA chair Félix Houphouët-Boigny
, broke from the PCF in 1951 and by 1958 was close to the colonial authorities in Niamey. This faction retained both the PPN name and the connection with the RDA, while Djibo Bakary
now broke from the RDA to retain ties with the French Communist Party. Bakary's new party, SAWABA
, prospered in the 1956 territorial assembly elections to the detriment of the PPN. In 1958's constitutional referendum and assembly elections, the PPN supported continued association with France under the French Community
, while its primary rival, called for immediate independence from France. The PPN swept territorial elections making Diori chair of the Assembly (essentially, Prime Minister to the colonial governor's presidential role). SAWABA was suppressed and outlawed prior to independence in 1960 with the help of French officials.
was overthrown in a military coup. During this period public criticism of the leadership was forbidden, Assembly sessions were largely ceremonial, and practical governance was carried out by the Political Bureau of the PPN, headed by Diori, Boubou Hama
, and a small cadre of supporters. The PPN was reviled by many as tied to traditional elites (especially from the west of the country), too close a partner with French interests, and financially corrupt. The famine which struck the region following the 1969-73 drought, scandals surrounding lack of food aid, along with personal discontent amongst the military, led to the April 1974 coup which ended the PPN's role in Nigerien politics.
. The PPN-RDA held a handful of parliamentary seats during the Third Republic and again in the 1999 - 2009 Fifth Republic.
It contested the legislative elections of 4 December 2004
in an alliance with the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism
(PNDS). Abdoulaye Hamani Diori led its parliamentary delegation from 2004-2009. The party opposed Mamadou Tandja's constitutional referendum of 2009 and was a member of the opposition FDD (Front for Defense of Democracy) and CFDR (Coordination of Forces for Democracy and the Republic)party coalitions during the 2009 Nigerien Constitutional Crisis. It endorsed Mahamadou Issoufou
of the PNDS in the 2011 Presidential Elections, but won no seats in the new National Assembly.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Niger
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...
. It was the leading political party of the pre-independence era, becoming the sole legal party of the First Republic (1960-1974). It was led by Niger's first President, Hamani Diori. After the end of military rule, the party reappeared as a minor parliamentary party led by Diori's son, Abdoulaye Hamani Diori
Abdoulaye Hamani Diori
Abdoulaye Hamani Diori was a Nigerien political leader and businessman. The son of Niger's first President, he waged a political and abortive military struggle against the Military regime that overthrew his father...
.
Pre-independence
As the name indicates, the PPN confederated in 1946 with a grouping of regional of pro-independence parties within French West AfricaFrench West Africa
French West Africa was a federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan , French Guinea , Côte d'Ivoire , Upper Volta , Dahomey and Niger...
and French Equatorial Africa
French Equatorial Africa
French Equatorial Africa or the AEF was the federation of French colonial possessions in Middle Africa, extending northwards from the Congo River to the Sahara Desert.-History:...
to form the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain (African Democratic Rally
African Democratic Rally
The African Democratic Rally was a political party in French West Africa, led by Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Founded in Bamako in 1946, the RDA quickly became one of the most important forces for independence in the region. Initially a Pan-Africanist movement, the RDA ceased to function as a...
-- RDA ). Under the leadership of Hamani Diori
Hamani Diori
Hamani Diori was the first President of the Republic of Niger. He was appointed to that office in 1960, when Niger gained independence.- Youth :...
, the PPN paired appeals to traditional society within what was then the Colony of Niger
Colony of Niger
The French Colony of Niger was a French Colonial possession covering much of the territory of the modern West African state of Niger, as well as portions of Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad...
while its representatives worked with the French Communist Party
French Communist Party
The French Communist Party is a political party in France which advocates the principles of communism.Although its electoral support has declined in recent decades, the PCF retains a large membership, behind only that of the Union for a Popular Movement , and considerable influence in French...
in France, which was then the only force supporting independence for France's colonial possessions.
In 1946 the single pro-Independence party in Niger was the Nigerien Progressive Party (PPN), of which Hamani Diori
Hamani Diori
Hamani Diori was the first President of the Republic of Niger. He was appointed to that office in 1960, when Niger gained independence.- Youth :...
and Djibo Bakary
Djibo Bakary
Djibo Bakary was a socialist politician and important figure in the independence movement of Niger. Bakary was the first Nigerien to hold local executive power since the beginning of French colonialism...
were the most prominent members, and which numbered only 5000 members. Simultaneously, these colonial territories were allowed limited representation in the French National Assembly
French National Assembly
The French National Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of France under the Fifth Republic. The upper house is the Senate ....
, with Niger allotted one seat in 1946 and a second in 1948. PPN Party leader Hamani Diori
Hamani Diori
Hamani Diori was the first President of the Republic of Niger. He was appointed to that office in 1960, when Niger gained independence.- Youth :...
filled the first, and a French educated Niamey lawyer, Djibo Bakary
Djibo Bakary
Djibo Bakary was a socialist politician and important figure in the independence movement of Niger. Bakary was the first Nigerien to hold local executive power since the beginning of French colonialism...
filled the second. Bakary, a leftist, helped push the party -- already perceived as anti-French -- in a populist direction. The PPN was allied to the pan-colony African Democratic Rally
African Democratic Rally
The African Democratic Rally was a political party in French West Africa, led by Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Founded in Bamako in 1946, the RDA quickly became one of the most important forces for independence in the region. Initially a Pan-Africanist movement, the RDA ceased to function as a...
(RDA), which itself caucused with the French Communist Party
French Communist Party
The French Communist Party is a political party in France which advocates the principles of communism.Although its electoral support has declined in recent decades, the PCF retains a large membership, behind only that of the Union for a Popular Movement , and considerable influence in French...
in the National Assembly. Some elements, such as RDA leader Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Félix Houphouët-Boigny , affectionately called Papa Houphouët or Le Vieux, was the first President of Côte d'Ivoire. Originally a village chief, he worked as a doctor, an administrator of a plantation, and a union leader, before being elected to the French Parliament and serving in a number of...
, were uncomfortable with this connection. Many in the PPN felt the same way, while many other, grouped around Bakary and the tiny Nigerien Trades Union movement, pulled to the left. Earlier splits of the PPN, of conservative Djerma
Djerma
The Zarma people , are a people of westernmost Niger and adjacent areas of Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. The Zarma language is one of the Songhai languages, a branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family...
traditional leaders and a small Franco-Nigerien contingent in 1946, were added to 1948 in reaction to Bakary and his circle and to the continued association with the RDA. Harou Kouka and Georges Condat split to form a group ("Parti Independent du Niger-Est PINE") that quickly joined with previous dissidents to create the Union of Nigerien Independents and Sympathizers (UNIS). This relatively conservative coalition benefited from French support, and gained control of the consultative institutions of the Niger colony from 1948-1952. Diori, much like RDA chair Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Félix Houphouët-Boigny , affectionately called Papa Houphouët or Le Vieux, was the first President of Côte d'Ivoire. Originally a village chief, he worked as a doctor, an administrator of a plantation, and a union leader, before being elected to the French Parliament and serving in a number of...
, broke from the PCF in 1951 and by 1958 was close to the colonial authorities in Niamey. This faction retained both the PPN name and the connection with the RDA, while Djibo Bakary
Djibo Bakary
Djibo Bakary was a socialist politician and important figure in the independence movement of Niger. Bakary was the first Nigerien to hold local executive power since the beginning of French colonialism...
now broke from the RDA to retain ties with the French Communist Party. Bakary's new party, SAWABA
Sawaba
The Union of Popular Forces for Democracy and Progress-Sawaba is a political party in Niger, founded as the Nigerien Democratic Union in 1954. The original party, founded by Nigerien Progressive Party co-leader Djibo Bakary when he was expelled from the PPN...
, prospered in the 1956 territorial assembly elections to the detriment of the PPN. In 1958's constitutional referendum and assembly elections, the PPN supported continued association with France under the French Community
French Community
The French Community was an association of states known in French simply as La Communauté. In 1958 it replaced the French Union, which had itself succeeded the French colonial empire in 1946....
, while its primary rival, called for immediate independence from France. The PPN swept territorial elections making Diori chair of the Assembly (essentially, Prime Minister to the colonial governor's presidential role). SAWABA was suppressed and outlawed prior to independence in 1960 with the help of French officials.
Single party
The PPN-RDA was the country's sole legal party from 1960 until 1974, when the regime of President Hamani DioriHamani Diori
Hamani Diori was the first President of the Republic of Niger. He was appointed to that office in 1960, when Niger gained independence.- Youth :...
was overthrown in a military coup. During this period public criticism of the leadership was forbidden, Assembly sessions were largely ceremonial, and practical governance was carried out by the Political Bureau of the PPN, headed by Diori, Boubou Hama
Boubou Hama
Boubou Hama was a Nigerien author, historian, and politician. He was President of the National Assembly of Niger under President of Niger, Hamani Diori.- Life and works :Hama was born at Fonéko, a small Songhai village in western Niger...
, and a small cadre of supporters. The PPN was reviled by many as tied to traditional elites (especially from the west of the country), too close a partner with French interests, and financially corrupt. The famine which struck the region following the 1969-73 drought, scandals surrounding lack of food aid, along with personal discontent amongst the military, led to the April 1974 coup which ended the PPN's role in Nigerien politics.
Democratic era
The party was resurrected in 1991, following the return to democracy, under the leadership of Diori's eldest son Abdoulaye Hamani DioriAbdoulaye Hamani Diori
Abdoulaye Hamani Diori was a Nigerien political leader and businessman. The son of Niger's first President, he waged a political and abortive military struggle against the Military regime that overthrew his father...
. The PPN-RDA held a handful of parliamentary seats during the Third Republic and again in the 1999 - 2009 Fifth Republic.
It contested the legislative elections of 4 December 2004
Nigerien parliamentary election, 2004
A parliamentary election was held in Niger on 4 December 2004 alongside a simultaneous presidential election. 105 members were elected in 8 multi-member constituencies using the party-list proportional representation system...
in an alliance with the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism
Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism
The Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism is a political party in Niger. It is a broadly left-wing party, part of the Socialist International; since 2011 it has been in power following the election of its long-time leader, Mahamadou Issoufou, as President of Niger. Mohamed Bazoum is Acting...
(PNDS). Abdoulaye Hamani Diori led its parliamentary delegation from 2004-2009. The party opposed Mamadou Tandja's constitutional referendum of 2009 and was a member of the opposition FDD (Front for Defense of Democracy) and CFDR (Coordination of Forces for Democracy and the Republic)party coalitions during the 2009 Nigerien Constitutional Crisis. It endorsed 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...
of the PNDS in the 2011 Presidential Elections, but won no seats in the new National Assembly.