Benin

Benin (Dahomey) Occupied by French troops in 1894, the west African country became part of the colony of French West Africa in 1904. Under French rule, the differences between its fifty tribes in the north and south increased, since along the southern coast there emerged an educated, politicized elite. With political representation in France from 1945, it became an overseas territory in 1946, received limited self-government in 1957, and in 1958 became an autonomous republic under the name of Dahomey, within the French Community. Independent since 1960, it was plagued by political instability during the 1960s, caused by social, educational, and ethnic disparities within the population. Civilian government alternated with military rule (there were altogether five military coups), until Kérékou assumed the presidency in 1972. He declared Marxism-Leninism as his principle of government in 1974, and in 1975 proclaimed a new constitution, established a one-party state, and changed his country's name to the People's Republic of Benin. He introduced agrarian and educational reforms to reduce the social and economic inequalities between north and south.

In 1989 popular protests against his economic austerity measures forced Kérékou to concede political liberalization. The subsequent elections in March 1991 were won by the leader of the opposition, Nicéphore Soglo (b. 1934), with a two-thirds majority. Despite a number of reforms, economic performance remained poor, largely owing to structural problems such as high debts and an illiteracy level of 77 per cent. Owing to the discontent caused by the poor economy, Soglo surprisingly lost the 1996 presidential elections to Kérékou. Benin has been a major exporter of cotton, and in the 1980s began the exploration of relatively minor off-shore oil reserves. In 2000, it hosted the Cotounu agreements. Kérékou was re-elected in 2001.

decolonization; imperialism