The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration of the Government of Niger (var. Foreign Ministry) is the government authority responsible for the foreign relations of Niger and its diplomatic corps abroad. The Foreign Ministry is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a political appointment who sits in the Council of Ministers of Niger, reporting directly to the President of Niger. The reference to "African Integration" speaks to the Minister's role in the African Union and its long professed Pan-African project on continental integration. The current Minister is Ibrahim Yacoubou, who has held the post since 2016.
Overseen by the Minister and his office is the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Offices below this are the Directorate of Bilateral African Cooperation, which oversees the diplomatic missions of Niger in Africa, the Directorate Europe, for embassies to and relations with European governments, and the Directorate America, Asia and Oceania, for those governments. Multilateral contacts with the African Union and other African bodies are overseen by the Directorate of African Union and Integration, while the Directorate of United Nations and International Organisations oversees missions to the United Nations (and Niger's Consulate in New York) and other bodies (such as Unesco).
Below is the list of all Foreign Ministry chiefs (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niger):
Ibrahim Yacoubou, 11 April 2016 – present
Aïchatou Boulama Kané (PNDS), 25 February 2015 – 11 April 2016
Mohamed Bazoum (PNDS), 21 April 2011 – 25 February 2015
Aïchatou Mindaoudou Souleymane (MNSD-Nassara), 17 September 2001 – 21 April 2011
Nassirou Sabo (MNSD-Nassara), 5 January 2000 – 17 December 2001
Aïchatou Mindaoudou Souleymane, 16 April 1999 – 5 January 2000
Military council 9 April 1999 – 16 April 1999
Maman Sambo Sidikou, 1997 – 9 April 1999
Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki, December 1996 – 1997
Andre Salifou, May 1996 – December 1996
Mohamed Bazoum, 1 February 1996 – May 1996
Military council, 27 January 1996 – 1 February 1996
Mohamed Bazoum (PNDS-Tarayya), February 1995 – 27 January 1996
Abdourahmane Hama, April 1993 – October 1994
Hassane Diallo Hamidou, November 1991 – April 1993 (Transition to Third Republic, appointed by National Conference)
Single legal party: MNSD
Mahamane Sani Bako 20 December 1989—renewed 2 March 1990—31 July 1991 (National Conference declared "Sovereign". End of Second Republic)Issaka Diamballa as "Secretary of State under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation", "Chargé d'Affairs for cooperation"
El Hadj Allélé Habibou 15 July 1988—20 December 1989Sandi Yacouba as "Secretary of State under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation".
Mahamane Sani Bako 20 November 1987—15 July 1988Sandi Yacouba as "Secretary of State under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation".
Political parties outlawed
Mahamane Sani Bako 1985—20 November 1987
Ide Oumarou 1983—1985 (1983: First formal Council of Ministers since April 1974)
Daouda Diallo 10 September 1979—1983
Moumouni Adamou Djermakoye 22 April 1974—10 September 1979
Single legal party: PPN-RDA
Boukary Sabo 1972—April 1974 (Coup d'état begins military rule)
Mamadou Maidah 1970—1972
Barcourgné Courmo January—July 1970
Abdou Sidikou 14 April 1967—January 1970
Hamani Diori (also President of Niger) 1965—1967
Adamou Mayaki 1963—1965
Hamani Diori (also President of Niger, Minister of Defense) 1960—1963
