Hama Amadou : A diplodocus of the Nigerien political scene

The mere mention of his name reveals a lot about the character's political journey and especially his intellectual density.. Hama Amadou truly marked the Nigerien political scene. Born in 1950 to Yuri and died this 23 October 2024, in Niamey, at the age of 74 years of malaria, this great political actor who no longer needs to be introduced has plunged his country into national mourning.

Accomplished political leader well known in the Nigerien political landscape, Hama Amadou wrote the beautiful pages of Nigerien political history. Former President of the National Assembly (19 avril 2011-24 November 2014, is 3 years, 7 months and 5 days) and twice appointed Prime Minister, Hama Amadou remains a great political figure having campaigned within several very prominent political groups.

From the National Movement for the Development Society

(1989 at 2010), to the Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation (2010 until today) through the National Movement for the Development Society (MNSD-Nassara) who brought Tandja Mamadou to the presidency in 1999, to the Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation (MODEN/FA), Hama Amadou is a real expert on the Nigerien political scene. Customs controller of the National School of Administration of Niger in 1971, head of general administration division 1978 from the same school, and finally administrative director of the International Institute of Public Administration (IIAP) in Paris in 1983, Hama Amadou is also a fine product of the administration. He holds senior civil servant status having served at several skill levels..

Twice deputy prefect, prefecture general secretary, district sub-prefect in Agadez, Zinder then Tahoua, Director General of the Niger Television Broadcasting Office (ORTN), three times chairman of the board of directors, chief of staff of the president of the supreme military council, Hama Amadou has an accomplished professional career.

From administration to politics, Hama Amadou braved the bad weather. As Prime Minister, he played a leading role thanks to the political reforms which led to the normalization of democratic achievements. Whether he finds himself in the movement or in the opposition, this political figure, much feared for his innovative ideas, has always campaigned for the restoration and defense of democracy.

Always ready to serve his country, Hama Amadou worked alongside several civil or military regimes to lend an attentive ear to the leaders. We remember this symbolic declaration from him, with the impulses of an admission of failure, pronounced during the announcement of the fall of his government following an incredible corruption affair at the top of the State : " Today, the government has collapsed. I want to congratulate the opposition, who has achieved a masterful job because the most improbable thing in a majority of 88 % has just come true ».

Victim of political persecution

As a high-profile political actor, Hama Amadou underwent the ordeal of legal troubles where he ended up being cleared. He will be the victim of persecution and political sabotage within the MNSD party itself, of which he will end up losing the presidency and even renouncing it.. Exiled in France, the president of the new party Moden FA Lumana prepares his political revenge, far from his native land. Main opponent of President Mahamadou Issoufou, Hama Amadou obtained around thirty deputies out of the hundred in the National Assembly with Moden FA Lumana during the legislative elections in 2011.

Against bad luck with a good heart, he supports President Mahamadou Issoufou in the second round of the presidential election against Seyni Oumarou, who had stolen the party presidency from him a few years earlier. What is worth his election as president of the National Assembly of Niger in April 2011. He falls back into opposition and will once again be forced into exile for a baby trafficking case. New legal troubles open up. With the support of his fellow fighters from COPA, Amadou released from prison to be treated at Niamey hospital, then to Paris. Despite the boycott of the second round by COPA, Amadou does not withdraw from the ballot but is defeated with 7,5 % voices.

A series of unfortunate events followed which caused the fall of one of Niger's most formidable political figures.. the CAF Referees Committee entrusts them with the heavy task of certain matches 2017, Amadou, who is still in exile in France, is sentenced in absentia to one year in prison for child trafficking. In August 2019, Amadou is designated Moden candidate for the presidential election of 2020. in november 2019, Amadou returns from exile and presents himself at the local gendarmerie to be arrested in the baby trafficking case. He still faces an eight-month prison sentence.. In February 2020, he obtains authorization to be evacuated from Filingué prison to France for treatment.

The 30 mars 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, President Issoufou orders sentence reduction on more than 1 500 Nigerien prisoners to relieve congestion in national prisons. Amadou is one of the prisoners who benefits from a reduced sentence and leaves prison. The 13 November 2020, the Constitutional Court of Niger publishes the list of candidates for the December presidential election 2020. She rejects 11 application files including that of Hama Amadou. The Court does not explain the reason for this rejection but it is due to the conviction of Amadou in 2017 in the stolen baby trafficking case. The 22 December 2020, Amadou and Moden FA Lumana announce their support for the candidacy of Mahamane Ousmane for the presidential election.

In February 2021, demonstrators contest the result of the presidential election and Hama Amadou is suspected of inciting violence. He goes to a police station in Niamey to be interviewed by the police. After three days in police custody, he is incarcerated in Filingué prison and accused of “regionalist propaganda”, of “complicity in damage to property” and “incitement to violence and ethnic hatred”. In April 2021, after the presidential election, Amadou obtains authorization to go to France for treatment. After the July coup 2023, Hama Amadou returns to Niger in September to finally turn his back on his country for good.

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