Niger’s former Prime Minister Hama Amadou has passed away in a hospital located in the capital city, Niamey, after enduring several health challenges over the years. His age at the time of death was 74. The specific cause of his passing has not been made public.

In memory of Amadou, one of Niger’s leading newspapers, L’Enqueteur, highlighted his resilience and tenacity in the face of the tumultuous political landscape of the nation, remarking that he faced “all the political storms” with unwavering resolve.

Amadou held the position of prime minister twice, first from 1995 to 1996 and then again from 1999 to 2007. Additionally, he served as the speaker of Parliament between 2011 and 2014. Throughout his political journey, he sought the presidency in the elections of 2011, 2016, and 2020 but was unsuccessful in all three attempts.

As the founder and leader of the Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation, a significant political entity in the country established in 2009, Amadou was a prominent opponent of former leaders Mahamadou Issoufou and Mohamed Bazoum, the latter of whom was ousted in a coup in 2023.

His political path was marred by several incarcerations. In 2009, he was sent to a high-security prison on charges of embezzlement, a case that was ultimately dismissed. In 2015, he faced imprisonment again due to an investigation into an illegal infant trafficking network from Nigeria—a claim he maintained was a politically motivated attack against him.

Despite being incarcerated during the March 2016 presidential elections, the Constitutional Court authorized him to run as a candidate, where he secured second place. After his release a month later for medical treatment in France, he remained there until 2019. Upon returning to Niger, he was again imprisoned for eight months connected to the trafficking allegations.

Following his release, Amadou attempted another presidential run in 2020, but his candidacy was ultimately denied, and he did not accept Bazoum’s election victory. He was imprisoned once more in February 2021 for allegedly inciting unrest after Bazoum’s win, though he was freed two months later due to health concerns and subsequently flew to France.

Amadou returned to Niger following the coup that removed Bazoum from power in July 2023 but chose to stay out of the political arena until his recent passing.