| The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07. |
| |
| Kountché, Seyni |
| |
| |
(s n ´ k nch´) (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 Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2007 Columbia University Press. |
|
|
