Amadou Cheiffou

Amadou Cheiffou (born December 1 1942Cherif Ouazani, [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/jeune_afrique/article_afrique_dossier.asp?art_cle=LIN07114sixcaliuetu0&dos_id=91 "Six candidats pour un fauteuil"] , Jeuneafrique.com, November 7, 2004 fr icon.] ) is a Nigerien politician. He was the country's Prime Minister from 26 October 1991Marie-Soleil Frère, "Presse et démocratie en Afrique francophone", Karthala Editions, page 117 fr icon.] "Oct 1991 - NIGER:Elections", Keesing's Record of World Events, Volume 37, October, 1991 Niger, Page 38520.] to 17 April 1993.

Cheiffou is an ethnic PeulhMyriam Gervais, "Niger: Regime Change, Economic Crisis, and Perpetuation of Privilege", in "Political Reform in Francophone Africa" (1997), ed. John F. Clark and David E. Gardinier, pages 96 and 107 (note 23).] and was born in Kornaka, in Maradi Department. Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Cheiffou worked in Dakar as a representative of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for Central and West Africa. He was a delegate for the Association of Nigeriens Abroad at the 1991 National Conference; at the Conference, he was the compromise choice for the position of Prime Minister, although he was opposed by the delegates representing the government, and was elected on 26 October. His selection as Prime Minister was aided by his political inexperience and lack of association with the old regime of Seyni Kountché and Ali Saibou. Cheiffou headed the transitional government that served from 1991 to 1993, during the transitional period leading to multiparty elections. He also served as Minister of National Defense during this period. [ [http://www.presidence.ne/PagesHtm/GouvTransitionCheffou.htm "GOUVERNEMENTS DE LA TRANSITION DE CHEFFOU AMADOU"] , Nigerien presidency website fr icon.]

As of 2002, Cheiffou was the ICAO's Regional Director for its Western and Central African Office. [ [http://www.icao.int/icao/en/ro/wacaf/apirg/2002/afi-ats1/Summary_en.pdf "First Meeting of the AFI Air Traffic Services Providers"] , icao.int, November 26–28, 2002.]

Cheiffou was vice-president of the Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama (CDS) before splitting with that party and its president, Mahamane Ousmane, and creating his own party, the Social Democratic Rally (RSD-Gaskiya), in January 2004. [ [http://www.afrique-express.com/archive/OUEST/niger/pol/286cassureauseindu.htm "Cassure au sein du parti de Mahamane Ousmane, Amadou Cheiffou crée son propre parti"] , "Afrique Express", N° 286, January 20, 2004 fr icon.] In the presidential election held on 16 November 2004, Cheiffou placed fourth out of six candidates, winning 6.35% of the vote. [ [http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=298087 "Tandja, Issoufou for round two polling in Niger"] , AngolaPress, November 20, 2004.] He was elected to the National Assembly in the December 2004 parliamentary election as an RSD candidate in Maradi constituency. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20050213002952/www.assemblee.ne/circons/circ_ord.htm List of deputies elected in the 2004 election by constituency] , National Assembly website (2005 archive page) fr icon.]

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