The African Leader Who Built a Democracy Then Got Betrayed by His Own Army

追加: 2026-05-06

[00:00:00]The leader who built a democracy was destroyed by the soldiers [music] he trusted most. It's 1960, Niamey, Niger.

[00:00:07]A school teacher turned politician leads his desert nation to independence from France.

[00:00:12]Hamani Diori built schools across the Sahel and modernizes farming while keeping peace with both superpowers.

[00:00:18]His army officers rise through the ranks he creates. For 14 years, Niger thrives as Africa's model democracy.

[00:00:25]But in 1974, drought devastates the countryside. His people starve while he travels for international aid. The colonels he promoted meet in secret planning his removal. The president who trusted his military was Hamani Diori.