Editing Niger (section)

==== Second and third military regimes (1996–1999) ====
The governmental paralysis prompted the military to intervene; on 27 January 1996, Col. [[Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara]] led a [[1996 Nigerien coup d'état|coup]] that deposed President Ousmane and ended the Third Republic.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/28/world/world-news-briefs-niger-s-elected-president-ousted-in-military-coup.html?pagewanted=1 Niger's Elected President Ousted in Military Coup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803195752/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/28/world/world-news-briefs-niger-s-elected-president-ousted-in-military-coup.html?pagewanted=1 |date=3 August 2018 }} New York Times, 28 January 1996</ref><ref name=Obit>Kaye Whiteman, [https://web.archive.org/web/20150924095159/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990412/ai_n14221141 "Obituary: Ibrahim Bare Mainassara"], ''The Independent'' (London), 12 April 1999.</ref> Maïnassara headed a ''Conseil de Salut National'' (National Salvation Council) composed of military officials which carried out a six-month transition period, during which a constitution was drafted and adopted on 12 May 1996.<ref name="H-Dictionary"/>

Presidential campaigns were organised in the months that followed. Maïnassara entered the campaign as an independent candidate and won the [[1996 Nigerien parliamentary election|election]] on 8 July 1996, the elections were viewed nationally and internationally by some as irregular, as the electoral commission was replaced during the campaign.<ref name="H-Dictionary"/> Meanwhile, Maïnassara instigated an [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]] and [[World Bank]]-approved privatisation programme which enriched some of his supporters and were opposed by the trade unions.<ref name="H-Dictionary"/> Following fraudulent local elections in 1999 the opposition ceased any cooperation with the Maïnassara regime.<ref name="H-Dictionary"/> In unknown circumstances (possibly attempting to flee the country), Maïnassara was assassinated at [[Niamey Airport]] on 9 April 1999.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/358644/Ibrahim-Bare-Mainassara|title=Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=9 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330145938/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/358644/Ibrahim-Bare-Mainassara|archive-date=30 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=1999: President of Niger 'killed in ambush'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/9/newsid_2463000/2463927.stm|access-date=9 April 2014|newspaper=BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415001633/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/9/newsid_2463000/2463927.stm|archive-date=15 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Maj. [[Daouda Malam Wanké]] then took over, establishing a transitional National Reconciliation Council to oversee the drafting of a constitution with a French-style [[semi-presidential system]]. This was adopted on 9 August 1999 and was followed by presidential and legislative [[1999 Nigerien general election|elections]] in October and November of the same year.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/315663.stm Niger: A copybook coup d'etat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202132822/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/315663.stm |date=2 February 2020 }}, 9 April 1999, BBC. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/316037.stm Military controls Niger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202133756/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/316037.stm |date=2 February 2020 }}, 10 April 1999, BBC.</ref> The elections were generally found to be free and fair by international observers. Wanké then withdrew from governmental affairs.<ref name="H-Dictionary"/>