9 April 1999 – Niger's President Assassinated

President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara of Niger, leader of the Union Nationale des Indépendants pour la Renouveau Démocratique (UNIRD, Union of Independents for Democratic Renewal) and formally military Chairman of the National Salvation Council, is shot during a military coup. Although the incident is described by Niger's prime minister, Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki, as a "tragic accident", Nigerien diplomats in neighboring countries have admitted that he was shot by his own Presidential Guard.

A new "government of national reconciliation" was announced, and took power on 11 April under the rule of Chairman Dauoda Malam Wanké (previously a Major in the army). Chairman Wanké pledged to hold national elections within the year, and a new president, Mamadou Tandja of the Mouvement National de la Societé de Développement (MNSD, National Movement for the Developing Society), was elected on 22 December 1999.