Editing History of Niger (section)

==1990s==
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2021}}
[[Image:1997 277-31A Tuareg.jpg|thumb|Tuareg men in the Niger, 1997]]A transitional government was installed in November 1991 to manage the affairs of state until the institutions of the Third Republic were put in place in April 1993. While the economy deteriorated over the course of the transition, certain accomplishments stand out, including the successful conduct of a constitutional referendum; the adoption of key legislation such as the electoral and rural codes; and the holding of several free, fair, and nonviolent nationwide elections. Freedom of the press flourished with the appearance of several new independent newspapers. In 1993, [[Mahamane Ousmane]], the [[Democratic and Social Convention]] (CDS) party candidate, won the presidential election with the support of a coalition of parties. The agreement between the parties fell apart in 1994 leading to governmental paralysis as the CDS on its own no longer had a majority in the assembly. Ousmane dissolved the legislature and called new legislative elections, but the [[National Movement for the Development of Society]] (MNSD) party won the largest group of seats, so Ousmane was compelled to appoint [[Hama Amadou]] of the MNSD as prime minister. The prime minister then prepared for a ''surprise'' attack.

Since 1990, Tuareg and Toubou groups that had been leading the [[Tuareg rebellion (1990–1995)|Tuareg Rebellion]] claiming they lacked attention and resources from the central government. As the culmination of an initiative started in 1991, the government signed peace accords in April 1995 with these groups. The government agreed to absorb some former rebels in the military and, with French assistance, help others return to a productive civilian life.

The paralysis of government between the president and the Prime Minister who no longer agreed gave Col. [[Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara]] a rationale to overthrow the Third Republic and depose the first democratically elected president of Niger, on 27 January 1996. While leading a military authority that ran the government (Conseil de Salut National) during a six-month transition period, Baré enlisted specialists to draft a new constitution for a Fourth Republic announced in May 1996.

Baré organized a presidential election in June 1996. He ran against four other candidates, including Ousmane. Before voting had finished, Baré dissolved the national electoral committee and appointed another, which announced him the winner with over 50% of the votes cast.  When his efforts to justify his coup and subsequent questionable election failed to convince donors to restore multilateral and bilateral economic assistance, a desperate Baré ignored the international embargo on Libya seeking funds for Niger's economy. In repeated violations of basic [[civil liberties]] by the regime, opposition leaders were imprisoned; journalists often arrested, beaten, and deported by an unofficial militia composed of police and military; and independent media offices were looted and burned with impunity.

In April 1999, Baré was assassinated in a coup led by Maj. [[Daouda Malam Wanké]] who established a transitional ''National Reconciliation Council'' to oversee the drafting of a constitution for a Fifth Republic with a French style semi-presidential system. In votes that international observers found to be generally free and fair, the Nigerien electorate approved the new constitution in July 1999 and held legislative and presidential elections in October and November 1999. Heading a MNSD/CDS coalition, [[Tandja Mamadou]] won the presidency. The council transitioned to civilian rule in December 1999.