# Saibou's Pardons and Political Easing (1988)

URL: https://allhistories.com/niger/timeline/1988-saibou-s-pardons-and-political-easing
Location: Niamey, Niger
Themes: main-event

In the months after taking power Ali Saibou released many political prisoners, relaxed press and travel controls and spoke of national reconciliation. Wikipedia says he freed detainees from the Kountché period; opponents exiled or jailed since the 1970s, including old followers of Sawaba, were allowed to return or to live freely. The government also cut back the harshest forms of security police activity. The measures were limited and did not touch the principle of rule by the army. They did, however, signal that the new leadership wanted a gradual civilian transition and gave room for associations, trade unions and student groups. Several of these later led the demands for a multi-party system. Some claims about who was released, notably Djibo Bakary, are uncertain. At the date of this event the principal authority over the largest part of present-day Niger, by the convention of this dataset, lay with Ali Saibou, President of the Republic (1987–1993). The government was headed by Prime Minister Hamid Algabid. The easing created the first public political space since 1974 and led, within three years, to a movement for multi-party democracy that Saibou could not control. The cautious easing also allowed the diaspora and returning exiles to organise, and many future ministers, party leaders and journalists first emerged in this short window of tolerance.

## Why it matters
Limited reforms opened the way for open opposition.

Ruler at the Time: [Ali Saibou](https://allhistories.com/niger/rulers/ali-saibou)

Prime Minister: Hamid Algabid

## Sources
- [Ali Saibou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Saibou)
- [History of Niger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Niger)
- [Niger](https://www.britannica.com/place/Niger)