Niger

The struggle

French conquest of the Niger bend was violent — the Voulet-Chanoine column of 1899 burned its way across the territory — and Tuareg resistance under Kaocen continued into 1917. Post-war politics split between Djibo Bakary's radicals, who urged a no vote in 1958, and Hamani Diori's moderates backed by France. Niger became independent on 3 August 1960.

Key people

• Kaocen ag Mohammed

  1880–1919

  Led the Tuareg revolt of 1916–17

• Djibo Bakary

  1922–1998

  Trade unionist who campaigned for immediate independence

• Hamani Diori

  1916–1989

  First president