Hamani Diori

Hamani Diori
Diori in 1968
1st President of Niger
In office
10 November 1960  15 April 1974
Preceded byHimself as Prime Minister of Niger, French Community
Succeeded bySeyni Kountché
Personal details
Born(1916-06-06)6 June 1916
Soudouré, Niger, French West Africa
Died23 April 1989(1989-04-23) (aged 72)
Rabat, Morocco
Political partyPPN-RDA
SpouseAissa Diori
RelationsDjibo Bakary (cousin)
ChildrenAbdoulaye Hamani Diori

Hamani Diori (6 June 1916 – 23 April 1989) was the first President of the Republic of Niger. He was appointed to that office in 1960, when Niger gained independence from France. Although corruption was a common feature of his administration, he gained international respect for his role as a spokesman for African affairs and as a popular arbitrator in conflicts. His rule ended with a military coup in 1974.