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Mamadou Tandja

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World Leader

The Resume

    (1938- )
    Born in Maïné-Soroa, Niger
    Mixed Fula and Kanuri ethnicity
    Retired colonel
    Prefect of Maradi (1976-September 10, 1979)
    Minister of the Interior (September 10, 1979-August 31, 1981)
    Prefect of Tahoua (1981-March 1988)
    Ambassador of Niger to Nigeria (June 1988-March 1990)
    President of Niger (December 22, 1999-February 18, 2010)
    Chairman of Economic Community of West African States (2005-2007)
    Ousted in a coup d’etat by Salou Djibo
    Subsequently incarcerated in a military barracks somewhere outside Niamey

Why he might be annoying:

    His first and last names are sometimes switched around.
    He was involved in a coup that overthrew Hamani Diori, Niger’s first elected president (1974).
    He lost two presidential elections (1993, 1996).
    He lived a life of luxury consisting of six villas, three houses, two vehicles, about a thousand cattle, and lots of luxury goods while most Nigeriens (people from Niger) lived in extreme destitution.
    His government was unable to cope with the food shortage crisis caused by locust swarms and lack of rainfall (2005).
    He blamed UN aid groups for exaggerating the severity of the crisis.
    During a referendum, he changed the constitution of Niger to eliminate presidential term limits so that he could stay in power (2009).
    Afterwards, he dissolved both parliament and the national assembly, and ruled by decree.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He is the first president of Niger who is not an ethnic Hausa or Zarma.
    He initially provided Niger with economic and political stability.
    He won free and fair elections.
    He appeals to farmers and herders.
    He sympathizes with Niger’s poor.

Credit: Big Lenny


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 90.91% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 23 Votes: 52.17% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 28 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 44 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 64.71% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 92.86% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 165 Votes: 71.52% Annoying