Editing History of Niger (section)

==Towards independence==
A further revision in the organization of overseas territories occurred with the passage of the [[Overseas Reform Act]] ([[Loi Cadre]]) of 23 July 1956, followed by re-organizational measures enacted by the French Parliament early in 1957. In addition to removing voting inequalities, these laws provided for creation of governmental organs, assuring individual territories a measure of self-government over internal matters such as education, health, and infrastructure.

After the establishment of the [[Fifth French Republic]] on 4 October 1958, the territories of French West Africa and French Equatorial Africa were given the right to hold a referendum on their membership in the [[French Community]], a modified form of the [[French Union]] which allowed some limited self-government and was viewed as a path to eventual independence.

The 4 December elections (on whether to remain in the French Community, followed shortly by those for the Nigerien territorial assembly) were contested by the two political blocks of the Territorial Assembly. The [[Nigerien Progressive Party – African Democratic Rally|Nigerien Progressive Party]] (PPN), originally a regional branch of the [[African Democratic Rally]] (RDA), led the [[Union for the Franco-African Community]] (UCFA) and was headed by PPN leader and deputy-speaker of the Assembly [[Hamani Diori]].  The other block was led by the then majority leader of the Assembly, [[Djibo Bakary]].  His [[Sawaba|Movement Socialist Africain]] (known by the name Sawaba – ''independence'' in the [[Hausa language]]) called for a "no" vote: one of only two major formations in French West Africa to do so.<ref>The other was [[Guinea]]'s [[Ahmed Sékou Touré]], which won a no vote.</ref>

While there have always been questions about French influence in the voting<ref>Fuglestad (1983), the major English language history on this says the election was rigged.</ref> The results of both elections were confirmed on the 16th. The PPN led UCFA (yes 358,000) defeated Sawaba (no 98,000), winning 54 seats to 4 in the 60 seat assembly.<ref>Decalo (1979) p.201</ref> On the 18th Niger declared itself a republic within the French Community and the Territorial Assembly became the Constituent Assembly. This date (18 December 1958) is celebrated as [[Republic Day (Niger)|Republic Day]], the national holiday of Niger, and considered the date of the founding of the nation. In March 1959 this became the Legislative Assembly.<ref>Decalo (1979) pp.36–37, 189</ref>

In 1958 Diori became president of the provisional government, and then became [[Prime Minister of Niger]] in 1959. Having organised a powerful coalition of Hausa, Fula, and Djerma leaders, especially made up of chiefs and traditional leaders, in support of Niger's "Yes" vote in the 1959 referendum, Diori gained French favor. During the 1959–1960 period, the French government banned all political parties except the PPN, effectively making Niger a [[one-party state]]. The Sawaba leaders fled into exile, and the member parties of the UCFA were folded into the PPN.