Benin report - Institut Africain de la Gouvernance

CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE__________________________________________________________________________C H A P T E R T H R E E3. DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE3.1 Introduction: the challenges for democracy and politicalgovernance96. The political history of independent Benin is characterised by three majorperiods. The first, from 1960 to 1972, was beset by political instability andsuccessive coups d‟état. The second, the so-called revolutionary period, lastedfrom 1972 to 1989. This was a more stable period, with the country becominga one-party state under the autocratic rule of General Mathieu Kérékou.Political stability, however, did not lead to development or economic andsocial recovery for Benin. The third period, from 1990 to the present, is theperiod of democratic renewal. It began with the National and SovereignConference of the Bone and Sinew of the Nation.97. Benin changed from a dictatorial one-party military regime into a multipartydemocracy, an event which flowed from the National Sovereign Conference(which was spearheaded by lawyers and other constitutional experts). Neitherthe former military dictatorship and one-party system nor the multipartydemocracy, instituted by the country‟s constitutional experts under the 1991constitution, succeeded in laying the ground for economic recovery andsustainable development.98. The major challenge for good political governance in Benin is to forge a truedemocracy that is founded on efficient institutions capable of introducingsound initiatives for economic development and of building a prosperousnation in line with the vision of an „emerging Benin‟.99. The very essence of a multiparty democracy is the improvement of the lives ofthe people. It is not enough to confer freedom of expression, the right to voteand other civil rights on the people. They need access to food, health care andeducation: indeed, the basic human rights. The challenge at hand is to ensurethat all Beninese have a minimum standard of living!100. Fortunately, the current leaders seem to recognise this and have resolutelygeared their programmes toward sustainable development that is aimed at thematerial, spiritual and cultural advancement of the nation as a whole. Greatstrides have been made in this direction.101. Some major achievements and assets of Benin are:the establishment of a peaceful climate and political and institutionalstability, making the country an oasis in a region of violence and conflict;58