Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara

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Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara (May 9, 1949–April 9, 1999) 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 another coup in April 1999.

Parliamentary elections in January 1995 resulted in cohabitation between President Mahamane Ousmane and a parliament controlled by his opponents, led by Prime Minister Hama Amadou. Rivalry between Ousmane and Amadou effectively paralyzed the government, and Maïnassara seized power on January 27, 1996, pointing to the difficult political situation as justification.

Under Maïnassara's rule, a new constitution was approved by referendum in May 1996, and a presidential election was held on July 7–8, 1996. Maïnassara took about 52% of the vote,^[1] but the election was widely viewed as fraudulent. On the second day of polling he had the electoral commission dissolved and replaced it with another electoral commission; on the same day, he also had the four opposition candidates placed under house arrest, which lasted for two weeks.^[2] Maïnassara was sworn in on August 7.^[2]^[3]

On April 9, 1999, Maïnassara was assassinated by soldiers at the airport in the capital city of Niamey during a coup; he may have been attempting to flee the country.^[3] Coup leader Daouda Malam Wanké succeeded him as head of state and initiated a political transition that ended with elections late in the year.

[edit] References

^ Elections in Niger, African Elections Database.
^ ^a ^b "Niger: A major step backwards", Amnesty International, October 16, 1996.
^ ^a ^b Kaye Whiteman, "Obituary: Ibrahim Bare Mainassara", The Independent (London), April 12, 1999.

Preceded by Mahamane Ousmane	President of Niger 1996–1999	Succeeded by Daouda Malam Wanké

Heads of State of Niger
Hamani Diori • Seyni Kountché • Ali Saibou • Mahamane Ousmane • Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara • Daouda Malam Wanké • Tandja Mamadou