Benin report - Institut Africain de la Gouvernance

CHAPTER TWO: HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND CURRENT CHALLENGES__________________________________________________________________________the age limit of 70 years set by the constitution to stand for election. Thefourth presidential ballot since the advent of democracy and multiparty politicsin 1990 was won, in the second round, by Thomas Boni Yayi with a vastmajority. He obtained 74.52% of the votes cast.Box 2.1: Chronology of the main political events in Benin1960 (1 August) Independence of the Republic of Dahomey; Hubert Maga is electedthe first president of Dahomey on 26 July 1960 and proclaims theindependence of Dahomey on 1 August.1960 (25 November) Adoption of the constitution.1960 (11 December) Legislative elections; victory of the Dahomey Unity Party (PDU);amalgamation of Sourou Migan Apithy‟s Dahomey Nationalist Party(PND) and Hubert Maga‟s Dahomey Democratic Rally (RDD).1963 (October) Strikes and protests.1963 (28 October) Hubert Maga is removed from office; power goes to ColonelChristophe Soglo.1963 (December) The army hands over power to Apithy, who becomes president ofthe republic; Justin Ahomadegbé becomes prime minister and vicepresident.1964 (5 January) Adoption of the new constitution by referendum.1965 (29 November) On 27 November, the Dahomey Democratic Party (PDD), which isthe party in power, relieves Apithy of his duties and appointsAhomadegbé as head of state. On 29 November, Christophe Sogloputs an end to the institutional freeze by forcing Apithy andAhomadegbé to resign. The formation of a new government isentrusted to the president of the National Assembly, TahirouCongacou.1965 (22 December) Coup d‟état led by Christophe Soglo, the army chief of staff.1967 (17 December) Military coup d‟état led by Commander Kouandété, who handspower over to Lieutenant Colonel Alphonse Alley.1968 (26 June) Following the boycott of the elections, the Revolutionary MilitaryCommittee (CMR) swears Dr Emile Derlin Zinsou into power.1969 (10 December) Coup d‟état led by Maurice Kouandété, Sinzogan and Paul Emile deSouza; a military council appoints De Souza as head of state.48