Since 1960, Benin, once called Dahomey, has had eight official presidents. The first president, Hubert Maga, served from 1960 to 1963. Over the years, the country experienced leadership changes, with some presidents being overthrown by coups.
Notable leaders include Mathieu Kérékou, who ruled for two terms, and Thomas Boni Yayi, who served from 2006 to 2016. The current president is Patrice Talon, who took office in 2016 and was re-elected in 2021.
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Complete List Of Benin Presidents From 1990 Till Date
No | Name | Took Office | Left Office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mathieu Kérékou | 1 March 1990 | 4 April 1991 | PRPB / Independent |
2 | Nicéphore Soglo | 4 April 1991 | 4 April 1996 | RB |
3 | Mathieu Kérékou | 4 April 1996 | 6 April 2006 | Independent / FARD–Alafia |
4 | Thomas Boni Yayi | 6 April 2006 | 6 April 2016 | Independent |
5 | Patrice Talon | 6 April 2016 | Incumbent | Independent |
Who Was The First President Of Benin?
The first president of Benin was Hubert Maga, who was born on August 10, 1916, in Parakou, Dahomey, which is now called Benin. Maga went to local schools before going to a prestigious school in Dakar, Senegal.
After finishing his education, he became a teacher and later the headmaster of a secondary school in Natitingou, a town in Dahomey. Maga’s political career began in the late 1940s. In 1947, he was elected to a local assembly.
Then, in 1951, he became a member of the French National Assembly, representing the French West Africa region. He held other political roles in the late 1950s, including being the Secretary of State for Labor in the French government.
When Dahomey was close to becoming independent in 1959, Maga was chosen as the head of the government that would lead the country to independence.
On August 1, 1960, when Dahomey officially gained independence from France, Hubert Maga became the first president. At first, many people supported him. However, In 1962, he declared that the country would be a one-party state, which made many people unhappy.
Maga’s government spent a lot of money, including building a large presidential palace that cost $3 million. This led to economic problems, with fewer foreign investments and higher unemployment.
In 1961, there was an attempt to kill him. In 1963, he faced protests and was accused of corruption. The army arrested him and put him under house arrest. Although he was never formally charged, he was seen as a corrupt leader.
He was released in 1965 and went into exile, first in Togo and later in Paris. Yet, Maga returned to Benin in 1970.He worked with other leaders in a rotating presidency, but this system did not work well. In 1972, a military coup led by Major Mathieu Kérékou took over, and Maga was imprisoned again until 1981.
After he was released from prison, Hubert Maga continued to be involved in politics. He also became a judge on the country’s Constitutional Court. Sadly, Maga passed away on May 8, 2000, in Cotonou at the age of 83.
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Who Is The Current President Of Benin?
Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon is the current President of Benin. He took office on April 6, 2016. Talon was born on May 1, 1958, in Ouidah, Benin. Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon was a businessman, especially in the cotton industry, which earned him the nickname “King of Cotton.”
He became one of the most successful people in Benin because of his involvement in cotton farming and the creation of several cotton ginning factories. Talon’s wealth also allowed him to invest in other areas, such as banking and port services.
He was born into a family from the Fon ethnic group, the largest group in Benin. Talon went to school locally before continuing his studies at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal.
Although he initially wanted to be a pilot, he failed the medical exam for the National School of Civil Aviation in Paris. He then returned to Benin in 1983 and began working in the agricultural trade, which led him to his career in cotton farming.
Talon joined politics when he supported President Thomas Boni Yayi’s campaigns in 2006 and 2011. However, their relationship soured, and Talon faced accusations of embezzlement and even an assassination plot against Yayi.
After fleeing to France, he was pardoned in 2014 and announced his candidacy for president in 2015. He ran as an independent and won the election in 2016 after a close second-round victory.
Talon introduced several reforms, including reducing the number of government ministers. He improved governance, economic growth, and relationships with countries like France.
Yet, his presidency has been criticized for limiting the ability of opposition parties to run and for imprisoning political rivals. Talon is married to Claudine Gbenagnon, and they have two children. His wealth has been estimated at around $400 million, making him one of the wealthiest people in sub-Saharan Africa.
Who Is The Current Vice President Of Benin?
Mariam Chabi Talata is the current Vice President of Benin. She took office on April 6, 2021, after being elected alongside President Patrice Talon.
The two formed a strong political alliance that won over 86% of the votes in the April 2021 presidential elections. Her election was a notable moment for Benin, as she is one of the few women to hold such an important position in the country’s politics.
Born on February 26, 1980, in the commune of Tchaourou in Benin, Mariam Chabi Talata grew up in the country before pursuing her higher education. She attended the University of Abomey-Calavi, studying sociology.
However, she had once served as an advisor to the Minister of Development and was involved in programs for social welfare and economic development.
As Vice President, one of her main responsibilities is to advise President Patrice Talon on national matters. She also represents Benin at international conferences, advocating for the country’s interests.
Throughout her time in office, Talata has attended many notable events. For Instance, she was part of the RUFORUM Triennial Conference in December 2021, which addressed higher education in Africa.
In July 2023, she went to a summit in Tanzania to discuss human capital development across African countries. More recently, in June 2024, she led a group of African university leaders to Benin to learn about the country’s industrial initiatives.
