Daouda Malam Wanké

Daouda Malam Wanké (May 6, 1946 – September 15, 2004) was a military and political leader in Niger. He was a member of Hausa ethnic group.

Daouda Malam Wanké
President of Niger
In office April 11, 1999 – December 22, 1999
Prime Minister	Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki
Preceded by	Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara
Succeeded by	Mamadou Tandja
Personal details
Born	May 6, 1946 near Niamey, Niger, French West Africa
Died	September 15, 2004 Niamey, Niger

Wanké's year of birth is disputed. Many sources claim it is 1954[1] while others 1946.[2]

Biography

He was born in Yellou, a town near Niger's capital, Niamey. He entered the Niger military, rising to the rank of Major. On April 9, 1999, Wanké led a military coup in which President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, who himself had come to power in a military coup, was assassinated.[3][4] 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 that promised to hold elections later that year.[5]

Wanké's government fulfilled its promise, and turned over power to the newly elected president, Tandja Mamadou, in December 1999. Wanké subsequently 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 died in Niamey. He is survived by a wife and three children.

References

1. Niger.
2. "Wanké, Daouda Malam", Rulers.
3. Niger: The people of Niger have the right to truth and justice, April 6, 2000
4. Amnesty International. President Mainassara: A profile, BBC, April 9, 1999.
5. Niger: A copybook coup d'etat, April 9, 1999, BBC. Military controls Niger, April 10, 1999, BBC.

Preceded by Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara	President of Niger 1999	Succeeded by Tandja Mamadou