1990 Political Revolt in Benin

The People’s Republic (now Benin) was established on 30 November 1975. It effectively lasted until 1 March 1990, with the adoption of a new constitution. After many years of economic and social decline, the people of Benin became increasingly discontent with the political leaders. Agricultural output was declining, and foreign debt was on the rise with no solutions in sight.

In February 1989, a pastoral letter signed by eleven bishops of Benin expressed its condemnation of the People’s Republic. On 7 December 1989, Kérékou took the lead and surprised the people disseminating an official statement announcing the abandonment of Marxism-Leninism, the liquidation of the Political Bureau, and the closure of the party’s central committee.  He convened a National Conference to address the country’s economic and political crises. The conference brought together representatives of different political movements and opened on 19 February 1990.

At the end of the 10-day conference, President Mathieu Kerekou was stripped of his power and former World Bank official, Nicephore Soglo was selected as Prime Minister. The work of the Conference decided to draft a new constitution and the establishment of a democratic process provided by a provisional government entrusted to a prime minister. Kérékou remained head of state on a temporary basis. A transitional government was set up in 1990, paving the way for the return of a multi-party system. The new constitution was adopted by referendum in December 1990. The country was officially named the Republic of Benin.

In the presidential election in March 1991, Prime Minister Nicephore Soglo defeated Kérékou, winning 67.7% of the vote. Kérékou accepted the result and left office. He became president again when he defeated Soglo in the next election in March 1996, after dropping all references to Marxism and atheism and becoming an evangelical pastor. When elections were held Soglo won. Many of these reforms worked because they were supported by French President Francois Mitterand.