10 Facts About Ali Saibou

Ali Saibou was the third President of Niger from 1987 to 1993 succeeding the deceased military ruler Seyni Kountche.

Ali Saibou became interested in a military career early on, and attended the Saint-Louis preparatory school in Senegal from 1954, then joined the First Senegalese Tirailleurs Regiment.

Ali Saibou saw action in Cameroon in 1960, and was wounded there while with the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment of France.

Ali Saibou attended officers' school, and in 1969 was put in command of a unit at N'Guigmi.

Ali Saibou threw in his lot with Kountche in the coup of April 1974, and brought his troops from Agadez to Niamey.

Ali Saibou countered by asking to be retired from the service altogether, an act which apparently allayed Kountche's fears.

Ali Saibou remained loyal until Kountche's death, which occurred on 10 November 1987.

Ali Saibou then secured his nomination by the Supreme Military Council as Kountche's successor, subsequently sending military rivals overseas with diplomatic tasks.

At an MNSD party congress in March 1991, Ali Saibou was able to retain his position as party leader, particularly benefiting from the support of the army.

However, later in the year the National Conference barred Ali Saibou from running in the planned presidential election, and at another MNSD congress in November 1991 he was replaced as party leader by Mamadou Tandja.