Daouda Malam Wanké

Daouda Malam Wanké (* 1954 in Yélou ; † September 15, 2004 in Niamey ) was a Nigerien officer and head of state of the country.

Life

Daouda Malam Wanké attended elementary school in his birthplace and middle schools in Dosso and Niamey. He then briefly studied geography and history at Niamey University . From 1972 to 1974 he worked as a Hausa translator and administrative assistant in government agencies for literacy in the country.

On September 1, 1974, Wanké began his career as a contract soldier in the Nigerian armed forces . In 1976 he was Sergeant , 1983 Second Lieutenant 1985 Lieutenant 1991 Captain and 1996 Major . At the same time, he completed military training at the Malagasy Military Academy of Antsirabe and the French Artillery School of Draguignan, among others . From March 1997 he served as commander of the presidential guard.

On April 9, 1999, Daouda Malam Wanké led a military coup against incumbent President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara , who himself had come to power through a coup. After Maïnassara's violent death, Wanké became head of state and chairman of the National Reconciliation Council on April 11, 1999 , which announced its intention to lead the country to a general election. The government of President Wanké kept its promise, handing over power in December 1999 to President Tandja Mamadou, who was elected in the 1999 presidential election .

Wanké was very sick recently. Among other things, he suffered from blood circulation problems and high blood pressure . During the last months of his life he stayed for medical treatment in Libya , Morocco and Switzerland . Wanké died in September 2004, leaving behind his wife and three children.

Awards and honors

• Knight of the Nigerien National Order
• Officer of the Nigerien National Order (1995)

Web links

• CV Daouda Malam Wanké on the website of the Nigerien Presidential Chancellery (French).