Kountché, Seyni

Kountché, Seyni (sānē' kOOnchā') [key], 1931–87, president of Niger (1974–87). He was army chief of staff when he ousted Hamani Diori, Niger's first president, in a military coup. He suspended the constitution, dissolved parliament, and suppressed all political activities. In the early years of his rule, he was forced to cope with a catastrophic drought and famine. He died in office.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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