Ibrahim Bare Mainassara

Colonel Ibrahim Bare Mainassara led a military coup that overthrew President Mahamane Ousmane, ending Niger's first democratic experiment. Mainassara cited political instability and economic mismanagement as reasons for the takeover.

Mainassara won a presidential election widely condemned as fraudulent by international observers. The election was boycotted by major opposition parties, and Mainassara's rule remained contested throughout his presidency.

President Mainassara was assassinated by members of his own presidential guard at Niamey airport. The assassination was followed by a coup led by Major Daouda Malam Wank