Niger’s ex-prime minister Hama Amadou dies aged 74

Niger’s former prime minister Hama Amadou, known as “the Phoenix” for his talent for political comebacks, has died in Niamey aged 74, his family announced on Thursday.

Newspaper L’Enqueteur said the “giant of Nigerien politics” had died overnight on Wednesday to Thursday after contracting malaria.

Tributes poured in on social media for Amadou, who was premier from 1995 to 1996 under President Mahamane Ousmane and again from 2000 to 2007 under President Mamadou Tandja before becoming speaker of parliament from 2011 to 2014.

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“Hama Amadou marked the history of our country with his commitment and devotion to serving the nation,” wrote Tourism Minister Soufiane Aghaichata Guishene.

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“His political legacy and his sense of humanity will continue to inspire generations to come.”