History of Niger in Timeline
Niger, officially the Republic of the Niger, is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is a unitary state sharing borders with Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Algeria. Covering nearly 1,270,000 km2, it is the largest landlocked country in West Africa. Over 80% of Niger lies within the Sahara Desert. The country has a predominantly Muslim population of approximately 25 million, primarily residing in the southern and western regions. Its capital city, Niamey, is situated in the southwest along the Niger River.
1900: Meeting at Kousséri
In 1900, three French expeditions met at Kousséri and defeated Rabih az-Zubayr's forces at the Battle of Kousséri.
1903: Fall of the Sokoto Caliphate
In 1903, the Sokoto Caliphate, weakened by invasions, fell to the British, and its lands were later divided between Britain and France.
December 1904: Creation of the Military Territory of Niger
In December 1904, the Military Territory of Niger was created within the Upper Senegal and Niger colony, with its capital at Niamey.
December 1905: Start of the Karma Revolt
In December 1905, the Karma revolt in the Niger valley began, led by Oumarou Karma.
March 1906: End of the Karma Revolt
In March 1906, the Karma revolt in the Niger valley, which began in December 1905, led by Oumarou Karma, was suppressed.
1906: Border Agreement with Nigeria
In 1906, rough border delimitation between Niger and Nigeria was agreed via treaties.
1910: Finalization of the Border with Nigeria
In 1910, the border between the Military Territory of Niger and Britain's colony of Nigeria was finalized.
1912: Capital Moved to Zinder
In 1912, the capital of the Niger Military Territory was moved to Zinder after it was split off from Upper Senegal and Niger.
1913: Famine in Niger
In 1913, Niger experienced a devastating famine, prompting the introduction of measures to improve food security.
1916: Start of the Kaocen Revolt
In 1916, the Kaocen revolt, led by Ag Mohammed Wau Teguidda Kaocen, began with backing from the Senussi in Fezzan.
1917: End of the Kaocen Revolt
In 1917, the Kaocen revolt of 1916-1917, led by Ag Mohammed Wau Teguidda Kaocen, was violently suppressed and he fled to Fezzan.
1920: Famine in Niger
In 1920, Niger experienced a devastating famine, prompting the introduction of measures to improve food security.
1922: Niger Becomes a Distinct Colony
In 1922, Niger became a distinct colony within French West Africa during the Scramble for Africa.
1922: Niger Becomes a Fully Fledged Colony
In 1922, Niger became a fully fledged colony within French West Africa, and the capital was moved back to Niamey.
1926: Territorial Adjustments West of Niger River
In 1926, areas west of the Niger River were attached to Niger.
1927: Territorial Adjustments West of Niger River
In 1927, areas west of the Niger River were attached to Niger.
1931: Famine in Niger
In 1931, Niger experienced a devastating famine, prompting the introduction of measures to improve food security.
1931: Transfer of Tibesti Mountains to Chad
In 1931, the Tibesti Mountains were transferred from Niger to Chad.
1932: Dissolution of Upper Volta
In 1932, during the dissolution of Upper Volta, most of the east of that territory was added to Niger.
1946: Beginning of the French Union
In 1946, the French Union was established, conferring limited French citizenship and decentralization of power to the colonies.
1947: Dissolution of Upper Volta
In 1947, during the dissolution of Upper Volta, most of the east of that territory was added to Niger.
July 1956: Overseas Reform Act (Loi Cadre)
In July 1956, the Overseas Reform Act (Loi Cadre) was enacted.
December 1958: Creation of the Autonomous Republic of Niger
In December 1958, an autonomous Republic of Niger was officially created under the leadership of Hamani Diori.
1959: Banning of MSA
In 1959, Mouvement Socialiste Africain-Sawaba (MSA) was banned for its perceived excessive anti-French stance.
July 1960: Niger Decides to Leave the French Community
On July 11, 1960, Niger decided to leave the French Community.
August 1960: Niger Gains Full Independence
On August 3, 1960, Niger acquired full independence, and Hamani Diori became the country's first president.
1960: Niger Obtains Independence
In 1960, Niger obtained its independence after being colonized by France.
1960: Constitution of Niger
In 1960, the Constitution of Niger was established.
1963: Planned Coup Against Diori
In 1963, President Diori survived a planned coup masterminded by Djibo Bakary's MSA-Sawaba group.
1964: Abortive Rebellion
In 1964, Djibo Bakary's MSA-Sawaba group launched an abortive rebellion.
1965: Assassination Attempt on Diori
In 1965, President Diori survived an assassination attempt masterminded by Djibo Bakary's MSA-Sawaba group.
1970: Joined Francophonie
In 1970, Niger joined the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.
1975: Attempted Coup
In 1975, there was an attempted coup, which was thwarted.
1976: Attempted Coup
In 1976, there was an attempted coup, which was thwarted.
1984: Attempted Coup
In 1984, there was an attempted coup, which was thwarted.
1985: Tuareg Revolt in Tchintabaraden
In 1985, a Tuareg revolt in Tchintabaraden was suppressed.
November 1987: Death of Kountché and Succession of Saibou
In November 1987, Kountché died from a brain tumor, and was succeeded by his chief of staff, Col. Ali Saibou.
1987: Death of Seyni Kountché
In 1987, Seyni Kountché, the ruler of Niger, died.
December 1989: Presidential Election and Adoption of Constitution
In December 1989, General Saibou won the presidential election and became the first president of the Second Republic after a new constitution was adopted.
1989: Single-party system of the 1989 Constitution eliminated
In 1989, the single-party system was eliminated by the National Sovereign Conference.
February 1990: Violently Repressed Student March
On February 9, 1990, a violently repressed student march in Niamey led to the death of three students, increasing pressure for democratic reform.
November 1991: Installation of Transitional Government
In November 1991, a transitional government was installed to manage the affairs of state until the institutions of the Third Republic were put into place.
December 1992: Adoption of New Constitution
On December 26, 1992, a new constitution was adopted by a referendum.
March 1993: Mahamane Ousmane Becomes President
On March 27, 1993, Mahamane Ousmane became the first president of the Third Republic.
April 1993: Establishment of the Third Republic
In April 1993, the institutions of the Third Republic were put into place.
April 1995: Peace deal signed with Tuareg rebels
In April 1995, a peace deal was signed with a Tuareg rebel group. As part of the agreement, the government agreed to integrate some former rebels into the military and, with assistance from France, help others reintegrate into civilian life.
1995: Legislative Elections
In 1995, legislative elections took place during Ousmane's presidency.
January 1996: Military Coup led by Col. Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara
On 27 January 1996, Col. Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara led a military coup that deposed President Ousmane, bringing an end to the Third Republic.
May 1996: Adoption of new constitution
In May 1996, specifically on the 12th, Niger adopted a new constitution as part of a six-month transition period led by the Conseil de Salut National.
May 1996: Constitution Revised
On 12 May 1996, Niger's constitution was revised by national referendum.
July 1996: Maïnassara wins presidential election
On 8 July 1996, Maïnassara won the presidential election as an independent candidate, though the elections were viewed by some as irregular.
1996: Primary School Attendance Around 30%
Between 1996 and 2003, primary school attendance was around 30%, including 36% of males and only 25% of females.
1996: Net Primary Enrollment Rate
In 1996, the net primary enrollment rate was 24.5 percent.
1996: Criticism of the Government
Since at least 1996, International human rights groups have criticised the government as using regulation and police to punish criticism of the state.
1997: Gross Primary Enrollment Rate
In 1997, the gross primary enrollment rate was 29.3 percent.
1998: Decentralisation Project Began
In 1998, Niger started a decentralisation project that would later result in the renaming of its subdivisions in 2002.
April 1999: Assassination of Maïnassara
On 9 April 1999, President Maïnassara was assassinated at Niamey Airport under unknown circumstances.
July 1999: Constitution revised
In July 1999, on the 18th, Niger's constitution was revised to the current version by referendum.
August 1999: Adoption of new constitution
On 9 August 1999, a new constitution featuring a French-style semi-presidential system was adopted.
November 1999: Tandja Mamadou wins election
In November 1999, Tandja Mamadou won the presidential election.
December 1999: Swearing in of President Mamadou
On 22 December 1999, President Tandja Mamadou was sworn into office as the first president of the Fifth Republic.
1999: Fifth Republic
In 1999 a new constitution was made creating the fifth republic.
1999: Creation of Fourth Republic
In 1999, the judiciary of Niger was established with the creation of the Fourth Republic.
December 2000: Qualified for Debt Relief
In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).
2001: Ethnic Makeup
The ethnic makeup of Niger in 2001 was: Hausa (55.4%), Zarma & Songhay (21%), Tuareg (9.3%), Fula (8.5%), Kanuri Manga (4.7%), Tubu (0.4%), Arab (0.4%), Gourmantche (0.4%), other (0.1%).
August 2002: Unrest in military camps
In August 2002, unrest occurred within military camps in Niamey, Diffa, and Nguigmi; the government was able to restore order within days.
2002: Subdivision Renaming
In 2002, Niger renamed its subdivisions in the implementation of a decentralisation project, first begun in 1998.
2002: External support to Niger
In 2002, about 45% of Niger's government budget, including 80% of its capital budget, derived from donor resources.
2002: Departments Renamed as Regions
The pre-2002 departments were renamed as regions.
2003: Primary School Attendance Around 30%
Between 1996 and 2003, primary school attendance was around 30%, including 36% of males and only 25% of females.
July 2004: Municipal elections held
On 24 July 2004, municipal elections were held to elect local representatives, followed by presidential elections where Mamadou was re-elected.
December 2005: Received Debt Relief From IMF
In December 2005, Niger received 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, forgiving approximately US$86 million in debts.
2005: Enslavement Study
A 2005 study stated that over 800,000 people (nearly 8% of the population) in Niger were enslaved.
2005: Radio Coverage Estimate
In 2005, independent-sector radio networks were estimated to cover some 7.6 million people, or about 73% of the population.
2005: Literacy Rate
In 2005, the literacy rate of Niger was estimated to be only 28.7%.
2006: Administrative Divisions
As of 2006, Niger was divided into 7 Regions and one capital district, subdivided into 36 departments, further broken down into 265 communes of varying types.
2006: Healthcare Statistics
In 2006, there were 3 physicians and 22 nurses per 100,000 persons in Niger.
June 2007: Replacement of Prime Minister
In June 2007, Seyni Oumarou replaced the prime minister following a successful vote of no confidence at the Assembly due to a deteriorated relationship between President Tandja Mamadou and his prime minister.
2007: Outbreak of Second Tuareg Rebellion
In 2007, the Second Tuareg Rebellion broke out in the north, led by the Mouvement des Nigériens pour la justice (MNJ).
2007: Head of CSC
Since 2007, Daouda Diallo headed the Conseil Supérieur de Communications.
2009: Rebellion Fizzled Out
By 2009, the Second Tuareg Rebellion had "largely fizzled out inconclusively".
2009: Constitutional Referendum and Political Unrest
In 2009, President Tandja Mamadou organized a constitutional referendum to extend his presidency, leading to political and social unrest.
February 2010: Military Coup d'état
In February 2010, a military junta led by Salou Djibo was established in a coup d'état in response to Tandja's attempted extension of his political term.
2010: Constitution
In 2010, Articles 3 and 175 of the Constitution guaranteed the separation of state and religion in Niger.
2010: Enactment of the Seventh Constitution
In 2010, Niger's seventh constitution was enacted, establishing a multiparty, unitary semi-presidential system.
2011: Attempted coup thwarted
In 2011, an attempted coup against President Issoufou was thwarted and its ringleaders arrested.
2011: Elections held
In 2011, elections were held following a one-year transition plan by the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy.
2012: Census Results
According to the 2012 census, Islam was practiced by 99.3% of the population.
2013: Zero-deficit budget adopted
In 2013, Niger's government adopted a zero-deficit budget of 1.279 trillion CFA francs ($2.53 billion), balancing revenues and expenditures by reducing the budget by 11% from the previous year.
2014: 2014 Budget Allocation
In 2014, Niger's budget was 1.867 trillion CFA, allocated to public debt (76,703,692,000 CFA), personnel expenditures (210,979,633,960 CFA), operating expenditures (128,988,777,711 CFA), subsidies and transfers (308,379,641,366 CFA), and investment (1,142,513,658,712 CFA).
2016: Issoufou re-elected
In 2016, Mahamadou Issoufou was re-elected as president.
2017: Fertility Rate
According to 2017 estimates, Niger had the highest fertility rate in the world (6.49 births per woman).
2018: Water Infrastructure Project
In 2018, SPEN opened ten boreholes and built a water treatment plant in Téra to provide potable water.
December 2019: Attack on military post in Inates
On 10 December 2019, a large group of fighters from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS) attacked a military post in Inates, resulting in over seventy soldiers killed.
December 2020: Presidential elections held
On 27 December 2020, Nigeriens went to the polls for presidential elections after Issoufou announced he would step down.
2020: Youth Population
In 2020, nearly half (49.7%) of the Nigerien population was under age 15.
February 2021: Presidential run-off election
On 20 February 2021, a run-off election was held, with Bazoum taking 55.75% of the vote.
March 2021: IS-GS attack around Tillia
On 21 March 2021, the IS-GS militants attacked several villages around Tillia, resulting in 141 deaths, mostly civilians.
March 2021: Attempted coup thwarted
On 31 March 2021, Niger's security forces thwarted an attempted coup by a military unit in the capital, Niamey.
April 2021: Bazoum sworn in as President
On 2 April 2021, Bazoum was sworn in as the President of Niger.
2021: Uranium Supplier
In 2021, Niger was the main supplier of uranium to the EU.
July 2023: Military Coup
Late on 26 July 2023, a coup by the military overthrew Bazoum, putting an end to the Seventh Republic.
July 2023: Abdourahamane Tchiani leads government
Since the July 2023 Nigerien coup d'état, the government has been led by Abdourahamane Tchiani.
2023: UN Report on Poverty
According to the UN's Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report of 2023, Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world.
2023: Suspended Cooperation with Francophonie
In 2023, Niger suspended cooperation with the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie months after the coup.
2023: Military Coup involvement
In 2023, Niger's armed forces were involved in a military coup.
2023: ECOWAS Condemns coup
In 2023, following the coup, ECOWAS threatened to use military intervention to reinstate the government of Bazoum.
February 2024: ECOWAS sanctions dropped
On 24 February 2024, several ECOWAS sanctions against Niger were dropped.
March 2024: Military cooperation agreement broken
On 16 March 2024, Niger's government announced that it was breaking off its military cooperation agreement with the United States.
April 2024: Russian military trainers and equipment arrive
In April 2024, Russian military trainers and equipment began to arrive in Niger under a new military agreement, and the US agreed to withdraw troops.
2024: Global Hunger Index Ranking
In 2024, Niger ranked 121st out of 127 countries with sufficient data on the Global Hunger Index (GHI), with a score of 34.1 indicating a serious level of hunger.
August 2025: Food Shortages
Between March and August 2025, a drought and locust infestation led to food shortages for as many as 2.5 million Nigeriens.
2025: Onchocerciasis Eradication
In 2025, Niger became the first African country and the fifth country worldwide to eradicate onchocerciasis, according to the World Health Organization.
