His writing gained international attention when his autobiography Kotia-nima (published with the support of UNESCO in 1971) won the Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire.
[3] Hama had been one of the founders of the Nigerien Progressive Party (PPN), a regional branch of the African Democratic Rally (RDA), and rose to become a close adviser of party leader and Deputy to the French National Assembly Hamani Diori.
He was also one of the most prominent, and perhaps most powerful, members of the PPN politburo, which became the effective ruling body of the nation.
[4] The National Assembly of Niger met in largely ceremonial yearly sittings to ratify government positions.
Traditional notables, elected as parliamentary representatives, often unanimously endorsed government proposals.