The Republic of Benin

Benin  (formerly, Dahomey), officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered byTogo to the west, by Nigeria to the east and by Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. A majority of the population live on its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin.^[4] HP G62-228CL Battery

The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo, but the seat of government is in Cotonou, the country's largest city. Benin covers an area of approximately 110,000 square kilometers (42,000 sq mi), with a population of approximately 9.05 million. HP G62-229WM Battery

Benin is a tropical, sub-Saharan nation, highly dependent onagriculture, with substantial employment and income arising from subsistence farming.^[5]

The official language of Benin is French, however, indigenous languages such as Fon and Yoruba are commonly spoken. HP G62-251TU Battery

The largest religious group in Benin is Roman Catholicism, followed closely by Islam, Vodun and Protestantism. Benin is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, HP G62-251XX Battery

La Francophonie, the Community of Sahel-Saharan States, the African Petroleum Producers Association and the Niger Basin Authority.^[6]

From the 17th to the 19th century, modern day Benin was ruled by the Kingdom of Dahomey. HP G62-550EE Battery

This region was referred to as the Slave Coast from as early as the 17th century due to the large number of slaves shipped to the New World during theTrans-Atlantic slave trade. After slavery was abolished, France took over the country and renamed it French Dahomey. HP G62-A00EF Battery

In 1960, Dahomey gained full independence from France, bringing in a democratic government for the next 12 years.^[7]

A Marxist-Leninist dictatorship called the People's Republic of Benin existed between 1972 and 1990. This regime led to repression and the collapse of the economy. HP G62-A10EV Battery

The Republic of Benin was formed in 1991 which brought in multiparty elections.

Etymology

During the colonial period and at independence, the country was known as Dahomey. It was renamed on November 30, 1975, to Benin ^[8] after the body of water on which the country lies – the Bight of Benin – which, in turn, had been named after the Benin Empire. HP G62-A16SL Battery

The country of Benin has no direct connection to Benin City in modern Nigeria, nor to the Benin bronzes.

The new name, Benin, was chosen for its neutrality. HP G62-A20ER Battery

Dahomey was the name of the former Kingdom of Dahomey, which covered only the southern third of the present country and therefore did not represent the northwestern sector Atakora nor the kingdom of Borgu, which covered the northeastern third.^[9] HP G62-A23EE Battery

The Kingdom of Dahomey formed from a mixture of ethnic groups on the Abomey plain. Historians theorize that the insecurity caused by slave trading may have contributed to mass migrations of groups to modern day Abomey, including someAja, a Gbe people who are believed to have founded the city. HP G62-A30ER Battery

Those Aja living in Abomey mingled with the local Fon people, also a Gbe people, creating a new ethnic group known as "Dahomey".^[11]

The Gbe peoples are said to be descendents of a number of migrants from Wyo. HP G62-A40ER Battery

Gangnihessou (a member of an Aja dynasty that in the 16th century along with the Aja populace had come from Tado before settling and ruling separately in what is now Abomey, Allada, and Porto Novo) became the first ruler of the Dahomey Kingdom. HP G62-A45EE Battery

Dahomey had a military culture aimed at securing and eventually expanding the borders of the small kingdom with its capital at modern day Abomey.

The Dahomey Kingdom was known for its culture and traditions. HP G62-A46EE Battery

Young boys were often apprenticed to older soldiers, and taught the kingdom's military customs until they were old enough to join the army.^[14] Dahomey was also famous for instituting an elite female soldier corps, called Ahosi or "our mothers" in the Fongbe language, and known by many Europeans as the Dahomean Amazons. HP G62-A53EE Battery

This emphasis on military preparation and achievement earned Dahomey the nickname of "black Sparta" from European observers and 19th century explorers like Sir Richard Burton.^[15]

The kings of Dahomey sold their war captives into transatlantic slavery; HP G62T-100 Battery

 otherwise the captives would have been killed in a ceremony known as the Annual Customs. By c.1750, the King of Dahomey was earning an estimated £250,000 per year by selling Africans to the European slave-traders.^[17] Though the leaders of Dahomey appeared initially to resist the slave trade, HP G62-166SB Battery

it flourished in the region of Dahomey for almost three hundred years (beginning in 1472 with a trade agreement with Portuguese merchants), leading to the area being named "the Slave Coast". Court protocols, which demanded that a portion of war captives from the kingdom's many battles be decapitated, decreased the number of enslaved people exported from the area. HP G62-200 Battery

The number went from 20,000 per year at the beginning of the seventeenth century to 12,000 at the beginning of the 19th century.The decline was partly due to the banningof the trans-Atlantic slave trade by Britain and other countries. HP G62-200XX Battery

This decline continued until 1885, when the last Portuguese slave ship departed from the coast of the present-day Benin Republic.

By the middle of the nineteenth century, Dahomey started to lose its status as the regional power. HP G62-201XX Battery

This enabled the French to take over the area in 1892. In 1899, the French included the land called French Dahomey within the French West Africa colony. In 1958, France granted autonomy to the Republic of Dahomey, and full independence as of August 1, 1960. The president who led them to independence was Hubert Maga. HP G62-219WM Battery

For the next twelve years, ethnic strife contributed to a period of turbulence. There were several coups and regime changes, with four figures dominating — Hubert Maga, Sourou Apithy, Justin Ahomadegbé and Emile Derlin Zinsou — the first three representing a different area and ethnicity of the country. HP G62-220US Battery

These three agreed to form a presidential councilafter violence marred the 1970 elections.

On May 7, 1972, Maga turned over power to Ahomadegbe. On October 26, 1972, Lt. Col. Mathieu Kérékou overthrew the ruling triumvirate, becoming president and stating that the country will not "burden itself by copying foreign ideology, HP G62-225DX Battery

and wants neither Capitalism, Communism, nor Socialism". On November 30, however, he announced that the country was officially Marxist, under the control of the Military Council of the Revolution (CNR), which nationalized the petroleum industry and banks. On November 30, 1975, he renamed the country to People's Republic of Benin. HP G62-226NR Battery

In 1979, the CNR was dissolved, and Kérékou arranged show elections where he was the only allowed candidate. Establishing relations with the People's Republic of China, North Korea, and Libya, he put nearly all businesses and economic activities under state control, causing foreign investment in Benin to dry up.^[20] HP G62-227CL Battery

Kérékou attempted to reorganize education, pushing his own aphorisms such as "Poverty is not a fatality", resulting in a mass exodus of teachers, along with a large number of other professionals.^[20] The regime financed itself by contracting to take nuclear waste from France.^[20] HP G62-147NR Battery

In 1980, Kérékou converted to Islam and changed his first name to Ahmed, then changed his name back after claiming to be a born-again Christian.

In 1989, riots broke out after the regime did not have money to pay its army. The banking system collapsed. HP G62-149WM Battery

Eventually Kérékou renounced Marxism and a convention forced Kérékou to release political prisoners and arrange elections.^[20]

The name of the country was changed to the Republic of Benin on March 1, 1990, once the newly formed country's constitution was complete, HP G62-150EF Battery

after the abolition of Marxism–Leninism in the nation in 1989.

In 1991, Kérékou was defeated by Nicéphore Soglo, and became the first black African president to step down after an election. Kérékou returned to power after winning the 1996 vote. HP G62-150EQ Battery

In 2001, a closely fought election resulted in Kérékou winning another term, after which his opponents claimed election irregularities.

Kérékou and former president Soglo did not run in the 2006 elections, as both were barred by the constitution's restrictions on age and total terms of candidates. HP G62-150ET Battery

Kérékou is widely praisedfor making no effort to change the constitution so that he could remain in office or run again, unlike many African leaders.

On March 5, 2006, an election was held that was considered free and fair. It resulted in a runoff between Yayi Boni and Adrien Houngbédji. HP G62-150EV Battery

The runoff election was held on March 19, and was won by Boni, who assumed office on April 6. The success of the fair multi-party elections in Benin won praise internationally. Boni wasreelected in 2011, taking 53.18 percent of the vote in the first round—enough to avoid a runoff election, becoming the first president to win an election without a runoff since the restoration of democracy in 1991. HP G62-150SE Battery

Politics

Benin's politics take place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, where the President of Benin is both head of state and head of government, within a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. HP G62-150SF Battery

Legislative power is vested in both the government and the legislature. Thejudiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The political system is derived from the 1990 Constitution of Benin and the subsequent transition todemocracy in 1991. HP G62-150SL Battery

In its 2007 Worldwide Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders ranked Benin 53rd out of 169 countries.

Benin scored highly in the 2009 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which comprehensively measures the state of governance across the continent. HP G62-153CA Battery

Benin was ranked 15th out of 53 African countries, and scored particularly well in the categories of Safety & Security and Participation & Human Rights.^[23]

Benin has been rated equal-88th out of 159 countries in a 2005 analysis of police, business and political corruption.^[24] HP G62-154CA Battery

Departments and communes

Benin is divided into 12 departments (French: départements), and subdivided into 77 communes. In 1999, the previous six departments were each split into two halves, forming the current 12. The six new departments have not been assigned an official capital yet. HP G62-165SL Battery

Geography

Benin, a narrow, north-south strip of land in west Africa, lies between the Equator and theTropic of Cancer. Benin lies between latitudes 6° and 13°N, and longitudes 0° and 4°E. HP G62-130SD Battery

Benin is bounded by Togo to the west, Burkina Faso and Niger to the north, Nigeria to the east, and the Bight of Benin to the south.

With an area of 112,622 km² (43,484 sq mi), Benin extends from the Niger River in the north to the Atlantic Ocean in the south, a distance of 650 km (404 mi). HP G62-130SL Battery

Although the coastline measures 121 km (75 mi) the country measures about 325 km (202 mi) at its widest point.

It is one of the smaller countries in West Africa, one-eighth the size of Nigeria, its neighbor to the east. It is, however, twice as large as Togo, its neighbor to the west. HP G62-134CA Battery

Benin shows little variation in elevation and can be divided into four areas from the south to the north, starting with the low-lying, sandy, coastal plain (highest elevation 10 m (32.8 ft)) which is, at most, 10 km (6.2 mi) wide. It is marshy and dotted with lakes and lagoons communicating with the ocean. HP G62-135EV Battery

Behind the coast lies the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic-covered plateaus of southern Benin (altitude between 20 and 200 m (66 and 656 ft)), which are split by valleys running north to south along the Couffo, Zou, and Oueme Rivers. HP G62-140EF Battery

Then an area of flat lands dotted with rocky hills whose altitude seldom reaches 400 m (1,312 ft) extends around Nikki and Save. Finally, a range of mountains extends along the northwest border and into Togo; this is the Atacora, with the highest point, Mont Sokbaro, at 658 m (2,159 ft). HP G62-140EL Battery

Benin has fields of lying fallow, mangroves, and remnants of large sacred forests. In the rest of the country, the savanna is covered with thorny scrubs and dotted with huge baobab trees. Some forests line the banks of rivers. HP G62-140EQ Battery

In the north and the northwest of Benin the Reserve du W du Niger and Pendjari National Park attract tourists eager to see elephants, lions, antelopes, hippos, and monkeys.^[25] Historically Benin has served as habitat for the endangered Painted Hunting Dog, Lycaon pictus;^[26]however, this canid is thought to have been locally extirpated. HP G62-140ES Battery

Benin's climate is hot and humid. Annual rainfall in the coastal area averages 1300 mm or about 51 inches. Benin has two rainy and two dry seasons per year. The principal rainy season is from April to late July, with a shorter less intense rainy period from late September to November. HP G62-140ET Battery

The main dry season is from December to April, with a short cooler dry season from late July to early September. Temperatures and humidity are high along the tropical coast. In Cotonou, the average maximum temperature is 31 °C (87.8 °F); the minimum is 24 °C (75.2 °F).^[25] HP G62-140SF Battery

Variations in temperature increase when moving north through a savanna and plateau toward the Sahel. A dry wind from the Sahara called the Harmattan blows from December to March, during which grass dries up, the vegetation turns reddish brown, and a veil of fine dust hangs over the country, causing the skies to be overcast. HP G62-140SS Battery

It also is the season when farmers burn brush in the fields.^[25]

Economy

The economy of Benin is dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Cotton accounts for 40% of GDP and roughly 80% of official export receipts.^[27] HP G62-140US Battery

Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past seven years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. Benin uses the CFA franc, which is pegged to the euro. HP G62-143CL Battery

Benin’s economy has continued to strengthen over the past years, with real GDP growth estimated at 5.1 percent and 5.7 percent in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The main driver of growth is the agricultural sector, with cotton being the country’s main export, while services continue to contribute the largest part of GDP largely because of Benin’s geographical location, HP G62-144DX Battery

enabling trade, transportation, transit and tourism activities with its neighbouring states.^[28]

In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. HP G62-145NR Battery

Projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's US$307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. HP G62-120SL Battery

The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production.^[1] HP G62-120SS Battery

Although trade unions in Benin represent up to 75% of the formal workforce, the large informal economy has been noted by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITCU) to contain ongoing problems, including a lack of women's wage equality, the use of child labour, and the continuing issue of forced labour.^[30] HP G62-120SW Battery

Benin is a member of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA).^[31]

Cotonou harbors the country's only seaport and international airport. A new port is currently under construction between Cotonou and Porto Novo. HP G62-121EE Battery

Benin is connected by 2 lane asphalted roads to its neighboring countries (Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria). Mobile telephone service is available across the country through various operators. ADSL connections are available in some areas. HP G62-125EK Battery

Benin is connected to the Internet by way of satellite connections (since 1998) and a single submarine cable SAT-3/WASC (since 2001), keeping the price of data extremely high. Relief is expected with initiation of the Africa Coast to Europe cable in 2011.

Currently, about a third of the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 per day.^[32] HP G62-125EL Battery

Demographics

The majority of Benin's population lives in the south. The population is young, with a life expectancy of 59 years. About 42 African ethnic groups live in this country; these various groups settled in Benin at different times and also migrated within the country. HP G62-125EV Battery

Ethnic groups include the Yoruba in the southeast (migrated from Nigeria in the 12th century); the Dendi in the north-central area (they came from Mali in the 16th century); the Bariba and the Fula (French: Peul; Fula: Fulɓe) in the northeast; theBetammaribe and the Somba in the Atacora Range; HP G62-125SL Battery

the Fon in the area around Abomey in the South Central and the Mina, Xueda, andAja (who came from Togo) on the coast.^[25]

Recent migrations have brought other African nationals to Benin that include Nigerians, Togolese, and Malians. HP G62-130EG Battery

The foreign community also includes many Lebanese and Indians involved in trade and commerce. The personnel of the many European embassies and foreign aid missions and of nongovernmental organizations and various missionary groups account for a large part of the 5500European population.^[25] HP G62-130EK Battery

A small part of the European population consists of Beninese citizens of French ancestry, whose ancestors ruled Benin and left after independence.

Health

During the 1980s, less than 30 percent of the population had access to primary health care services. HP G62-130ET Battery

Benin had one of the highest death rates for children under the age of five in the world. Its infant mortality rate stood at 203 deaths for every 1000 live births. Only one in three mothers had access to child health care services. The Bamako Initiative changed that dramatically by introducing community-based health care reform, HP G62-130EV Battery

resulting in more efficient and equitable provision of services.^[33] A comprehensive approach strategy was extended to all areas of health care, with subsequent improvement in the health care indicators and improvement in health care efficiency and cost.^[34] Demographic and Health Surveys has completed three surveys in Benin since 1996.^[35] HP G62-112SO Battery

Arts

Beninese literature had a strong oral tradition long before French became the dominant language.^[36] Felix Couchoro wrote the first Beninese novel, L'Esclave in1929. HP G62-113SO Battery

Post-independence, the country was home to a vibrant and innovative music scene, where native folk music combined with Ghanaian highlife, French cabaret, Americanrock, funk and soul, and Congolese rumba.

Singer Angélique Kidjo and actor Djimon Hounsou were both born in Cotonou, Benin. HP G62-115SE Battery

Composer Wally Badarou and singer Gnonnas Pedro are also of Beninese descent.

Biennale Benin, continuing the projects of several organizations and artists started in the country in 2010 as a collaborative event called "Regard Benin". In 2012, the project become a Biennial coordinated by the Consortium, a federation of local associations. HP G62-115SO Battery

The international exhibition and artistic program of the 2012 Biennale Benin is curated by Abdellah Karroum and the Curatorial Delegation.

Customary names

Many Beninois in the south of the country have Akan-based names indicating the day of the week on which they were born. HP G62-117SO Battery

This is due to influence of the Akan peoplelikely the Akwamu and others.^[37]

Language

Local languages are used as the languages of instruction in elementary schools, with French only introduced after several years. In wealthier cities, however, French is usually taught at an earlier age. HP G62-118EO Battery

Beninese languages are generally transcribed with a separate letter for each speech sound (phoneme), rather than usingdiacritics as in French or digraphs as in English. This includes Beninese Yoruba, which in Nigeria is written with both diacritics and digraphs. HP G62-120EC Battery

For instance, themid vowels written é è, ô, o in French are written e, ɛ, o, ɔ in Beninese languages, whereas the consonants written ng and sh or ch in English are written ŋ and c.However, digraphs are used for nasal vowels and the labial-velar consonants kp and gb, HP G62-120EE Battery

as in the name of the Fon language Fon gbe /fõ ɡ͡be/, and diacritics are used astone marks. In French-language publications, a mixture of French and Beninese orthographies may be seen.

Religion

In the 2010 census, 27.2% of the population of Benin were Christian (7.1% Roman Catholic, 5% Celestial Church of Christ, HP G62-120EG Battery

3.2%Methodist, 7.5% other Christian denominations), 24.4% were Muslim, 17.3% practiced Vodun, 6% other traditional local religious groups, 1.9% other religious groups, and 6.5% claim no religious affiliation.^[38] HP G62-120EH Battery

Indigenous religions include local animistic religions in the Atakora (Atakora and Donga provinces) and Vodun and Orisha or Orisaveneration among the Yoruba and Tado peoples in the center and south of the country. The town of Ouidah on the central coast is the spiritual center of Beninese Vodun. HP G62-120EK Battery

The major introduced religions are Christianity, followed throughout the south and center of Benin and in Otammari country in theAtakora, and Islam, introduced by the Songhai Empire and Hausa merchants, and now followed throughout Alibori, Borgou, and Dongaprovinces, HP G62-120EL Battery

as well as among the Yoruba (who also follow Christianity). Many, however, continue to hold Vodun and Orisha beliefs and have incorporated the pantheon of Vodun and Orisha into Christianity. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a sect originating in the 19th century is also present, in a significant minority. HP G62-120EP Battery

Education

The literacy rate in Benin is among the lowest in the world: in 2002 it was estimated to be 34.7% (47.9% for males and 23.3% for females).^[39] Although at one time the education system was not free,^[40] Benin has abolished school fees and is carrying out the recommendations of its 2007 Educational Forum.^[41] HP G62-120EQ Battery

Cuisine

Beninese cuisine is known in Africa for its exotic ingredients and flavorful dishes.^[42] Beninese cuisine involves lots of fresh meals served with a variety of sauces.^[42][43] In southern Benin cuisine, the most common ingredient is corn, often used to preparedough which is mainly served with peanut- or tomato-based sauces. HP G62-120ES Battery

Fish and chicken are the most common meats used in southern Beninese cuisine, but beef, goat, and bush rat are also consumed.^[42][43] The main staple in northern Benin is Yams, also often served with sauces mentioned above.^[42] The population in the northern provinces use beef and pork meat which is fried in palm or peanut oil or cooked in sauces.^[42] HP G62-120ET Battery

Cheese is also used in some dishes. Couscous, rice, and beans are commonly eaten, along with fruits such as mangos, oranges, avocados, bananas, kiwi fruit, and pineapples.^[42]

Meat is usually quite expensive, and meals are generally light on meat and generous on vegetable fat.^[42] HP G62-120EY Battery

Frying in palm or peanut oil is the most common meat preparation, and smoked fish is also commonly prepared in Benin.^[42] Grinders are used to prepare corn flour, which is made into a dough and served with sauces.^[42] "Chicken on the spit" is a traditional recipe in which chicken is roasted over fire on wooden sticks.^[42] HP G62-120SE Battery

Palm roots are sometimes soaked in a jar with saltwater and sliced garlic to tenderize it, which is then used in various dishes.^[42] Many people have mud stoves for cooking, which are located outside of their homes.

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture and cotton. HP G62-103XX Battery

Cotton accounts for 40% of GDP and roughly 80% of official export receipts. There is also production of textiles, palm products, and cocoa beans. Maize (corn), beans, rice, peanuts, cashews, pineapples, cassava, yams, and other various tubers are grown for local subsistence. HP G62-104SA Battery

Benin began producing a modest quantity of offshore oil in October 1982. Production ceased in recent years but exploration of new sites is ongoing. A modest fishing fleet provides fish and shrimp for local subsistence and export to Europe. Formerly government-owned commercial activities are now privatized. HP G62-105SA Battery

A French brewer acquired the former state-run brewery. Smaller businesses are privately owned by Beninese citizens, but some firms are foreign owned, primarily French and Lebanese. The private commercial and agricultural sectors remain the principal contributors to growth. HP G62-106SA Battery

Economic development

Since the transition to a democratic government in 1990, Benin has undergone an economic recovery. A large injection of external investment from both private and public sources has alleviated the economic difficulties of the early 1990s caused by global recession and persistently low commodity prices (although the latter continues to affect the economy). HP G62-107SA Battery

The manufacturing sector is confined to some light industry, which is mainly involved in processing primary products and the cow production of consumer goods. A planned joint hydroelectric project with neighboring Togo is intended to reduce Benin's dependence on imported energy mostly from Ghana, which currently accounts for a significant proportion of the country's imports. HP G62-110ED Battery

The service sector has grown quickly, stimulated by economic liberalization and fiscal reform, and the use of modern technology such as automobiles and computers has grown considerably as a result. Membership of the CFA Franc Zone offers reasonable currency stability as well as access to French economic support. HP G62-110EE Battery

Benin sells its products mainly to France and, in smaller quantities, to the Netherlands, Korea, Japan, and India. France is Benin's leading source for imports. Benin is also a member of the West African economic community ECOWAS. HP G62-110EI Battery

Despite its rapid growth, the economy of Benin still remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output averaged a sound 5% since 1996, but a rapid population rise offset much of this growth on a per capita basis. HP G62-110EO Battery

Inflation has subsided over the past several years. Commercial and transport activities, which make up a large part of GDP, are vulnerable to developments in Nigeria, particularly fuel shortages. HP G62-110EY Battery

Although trade unions in Benin represent up to 75% of the formal workforce, the large informal economy has been noted by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITCU) to contain ongoing problems, including a lack of women's wage equality, the use of child labour, and the continuing issue of forced labour.^[3] HP G62-110SA Battery

Banks and Finance

Benin’s financial sector is dominated by banks, and in general remains shallow. However, a series of reforms were undertaken in the 1990s, which resulted in the consolidation of the banking sector and in the privatization of all state banks. HP G62-110SO Battery

A legal framework regarding licensing, bank activities, organizational and capital requirements, inspections and sanctions (all applicable to all countries of the Union) is in place and underwent significant reforms in 1999. There is no customer deposit insurance system. HP G62-110SS Battery

Benin has a lively and diversified microfinance sector. Data from 2003 by the Central Bank stated a penetration rate of microfinance services of almost 60 percent. In 2006 the Ministry of Microfinance and Employment of Youth and Women counted 762 organizations with 1308 branches, including Cooperatives, HP G62-110SW Battery

HP G62-111EE Battery

NGOs, Savings/Credit Associations and government projects. Programmes for strengthening the sector are carried out on national and regional levels, such as the PRAFIDE (Programme Régional d’Appui à la finance Décentralisée). The microfinance sector is also subject to supervision through the Central Bank as well as the responsible Ministry for Microfinance and Employment of Youth and Women. HP G62-112EE Battery

Benin is member of the regional Bourse Regional des Valeur Mobiliés (BRVM) located in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Stocks were issued by a number of companies in the region. Listed bonds were partly issued by companies and partly by governments of the West African Monetary and Economic Union (UEMOA). HP G62-100 Battery

The payment and settlement system and clearing mechanisms were reformed in 2004 through the BCEAO and offer RTGS and SWIFT access to banks, financial institutions, the stock exchange as well as the Central bank and special banks. HP G62-100EB Battery

This article is about the demographic features of the population of Benin, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population. HP G62-100EE Battery

The majority of Benin’s 9.32 million people live in the south. The population is young, with a life expectancy of 50 years.

About 42 African ethnic groups live in this country; these various groups settled in Benin at different times and also migrated within the country. Ethnic groups include: HP G62-100EJ Battery

• the Yoruba in the southeast (migrated from what is now Nigeria in the 12th century);



• the Dendi in the north-central area (they came from what is now Mali in the 16th century);

the Bariba and the Fula (Fula: Fulɓe; French: Peul) in the northeast; HP G62-100SL Battery

• the Betammaribe and the Somba in the Atacora Range;



• the Fon in the area around Abomey in the South Central; and



• the Mina, Xueda, and Aja (who came from what is now Togo^[when?]) on the coast.

French is the official language but is spoken more in urban than in rural areas. HP G62-101TU Battery

The literacy rate is 52.2% adult males and 23.6% adult females, and slowly growing. Recent migrations have brought other African Nationals to Benin: Nigerians, Togolese, Malians, etc. The foreign community also includes many Lebanese and Indians involved in trade and commerce. HP G62-101XX Battery

The personnel of the many European Embassies and Foreign Aid Missions and of nongovernmental organizations and various missionary groups account for a large number of the 5,500 European population. HP Pavilion G70 Battery

Several religions are practiced in Benin. Animism is widespread (50%), and its practices vary from one ethnic group to the other. Arab merchants introduced Islam in the north and among the Yoruba. European missionaries brought Christianity to the south and central areas of Benin. HP Pavilion G70-100 Battery

Muslims account for 20% of the population and Christians for 30%. Many nominal Muslims and Christians continue to practice animistic traditions. It is believed that voodoo originated in Benin and was introduced to Brazil and the Caribbean Islands by slaves taken from this particular area of the Slave Coast. HP Pavilion G70-105EA Battery

Ethnic groups

There are several dozen ethnolinguistic groups in Benin, representing three of Africa's language families: Niger–Congo, Nilo-Saharan, and Afroasiatic. The latter is represented by Hausa living mostly as merchants in the north, while Nilo-Saharan is represented by the Dɛndi, descending from the Songhai Empire. HP Pavilion G70-110EA Battery

The Dɛndilanguage predominates along the Niger River in the far north, and is used as a lingua franca in Muslim areas throughout the north, in Alibori, Borgou, and Donga provinces. Of the Niger–Congo family, five branches are represented: HP Pavilion G70-110EM Battery

• Mande by the Boko or Busa, now in the far eastern corner (southern Alibori-northern Borgou), but previously more widely spread before being largely absorbed by the Bariba

Senegambian by the nomadic Fulbe scattered across the northeast

Benue–Congo by the Yoruba such as those of the old kingdom of Sakete, and the capital city of Porto-Novo, having expanded west from the Yoruba cities of Oyo andIfe in the twelfth to nineteenth centuriesHP Pavilion G70-111EM Battery

Gur (Voltaic) languages predominate in the four northern provinces, with the Batɔmbu (Bariba) of the old Borgou (Bariba) Kingdom occupying most of the countryside in its successor provinces of Borgou and Alibori, as well as the provincial captital of Parakou; HP Pavilion G71 Battery

the Yom throughout much of Donga province and its capitalDjougou; and several groups in the Atakora, including the Bɛtamaribɛ of the Otammari country around the provincial capital of Natitingou, the Biali, the Waama ofTanguiéta, and the Gulmàceba. HP Pavilion G71-100 CTO Battery

Kwa, especially the Gbe languages spoken by the Tado peoples in the southern and central provinces: the Aja who established themselves in Kouffo province from neighboring Togo and gave rise to the other Tado peoples of Benin, except for the Mina of Mono province, who arrived separately from Togo or Ghana: HP G72-150EF Battery

The Fɔnculture centered in Zou province around the old Fɔn capital of Abomey, but also dominant in Cotonou and southern Atlantique areas such as Ouidah; the Maxi in central Collines, especially around Savalou; the Ayizɔ of central Atlantique (Allada); the Xwla and Xueda in the lagoons of the coast; HP G72-150EG Battery

• the Tɔfin of Ouémé; and theGun. Other Kwa languages are spoken by the Anii in southern Donga in the region of Bassila, and the Fooɖo in western Donga near the town of Ouaké.

The largest ethnic group are the Fon, with 1.7 million speakers of the Fon language (2001), HP G72-150SF Battery

followed by the various Yoruba groups (1.2 million), the Aja (600,000), the Bariba (460,000), the Ayizo (330,000), the Fulbe (also known as Fulani, Peul and Fula) (310,000), and the Gun (240,000). Near the ports in the south can be found many people who are descended from returned Brazilian slaves. HP G72-200 Battery

There are also small numbers of Europeans, principally French, and people from the western Asia, mainlyLebanese, and East Asia, chiefly Indians.

Politics of Benin takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, HP G72-250US Battery

whereby the President of Beninis both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government.Legislative power is vested in both the government and the legislature. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. HP G72-251XX Battery

The current political system is derived from the 1990 Constitution of Benin and the subsequent transition to democracy in 1991.

From the 17th century till the colonial period, the Kingdom of Dahomey (whose borders encompassed more than present day Benin) was ruled by an "Oba".HP G72-259WM Battery

The French were the colonial power from 1892 till 1960, when independence was finally achieved. Between 1960 and 1972, a succession of military coups in Benin (known until 1975 as the Republic of Dahomey) brought about many changes of government. HP G72-260US Battery

The last of these brought to power Major Mathieu Kérékou as the head of a regime professing strict Marxist-Leninist principles. The Revolutionary Party of the People of Benin (PRPB) remained in complete power until the beginning of the 1990s. Kérékou, encouraged by France and other democratic powers, HP G72-A00 Battery

convened a National Conference that introduced a new democratic constitution and held presidential and legislative elections. Kérékou's principal opponent at the presidential poll, and the ultimate victor, was Prime Minister Nicéphore Soglo. Supporters of Soglo also secured a majority in the National Assembly. HP G72-A10SV Battery

Benin was thus the first African country to successfully effect the transition from dictatorship to a pluralistic political system. In the second round of National Assembly elections held in March 1995, Soglo's political vehicle, the Parti de la Renaissance du Benin, was the largest single party but lacked an overall majority. HP G72-A20EM Battery

The success of a party formed by supporters of ex-president Kérékou, who had officially retired from active politics, encouraged him to stand successfully at both the 1996 and 2001 presidential elections. HP G72T-100 Battery

Constitution

In part spurred by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the resultant lack of donor support from the superpower, as well as an economic crisis within the country, Benin adopted a new constitution in 1990 in order to open up and liberalise the political system and economy. HP G72T-200 CTO Battery

Its chief aims are to enshrine in law accountability, transparency, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, separation of governmental powers, the right to strike, universal suffrage (at age 18) and independence of the judiciary. HP G72-120SD Battery

These developments have created economic growth in Benin, but some of the bold ideals of the constitution have yet to be fully realised. Lack of accountability and transparency, failure to separate the judiciary from the political system, and high levels of illiteracy are the main stumbling blocks. HP G72-120SG Battery

Additionally, state employees are poorly paid, which makes them susceptible to bribery and corruption. There are unresolved issues with many pre-constitution laws which contradict the constitution. Many of the older laws derive from French legal norms as France was the former colonial power. HP G72-120SO Battery

Critics have also complained that the constitution makes no mention of the right to an adequate standard of living.

Since being written, the constitution has been translated into eight of the national languages of Benin. HP G72-130ED Battery

Broadcasts on local radio stations, in both in urban and rural areas, have publicised the constitution across the country.

Executive branch

The President of Benin is elected for a five year term. An individual can serve only two terms. Election is by absolute majority which, after a second round if necessary. HP G72-130EG Battery

Candidates must be:

• Beninese by birth, or have had Beninese nationality for 10 years

• Between the ages of 40 and 70 on the date of his or her candidacy

• Resident in Benin during elections

Declared mentally and physically fit by three doctors HP G72-130EV Battery

In 2006, Mathieu Kérékou was not constitutionally permitted to run for re-election since he had already served two terms and was over 70 years old. Despite speculation, this was not changed and he stood down after the election of his successor, Yayi Boni. HP G72-130SA Battery

The Cabinet is under the authority of the President, and serves to advise and help formulate strategies. It also liaises with ministries and other government institutions. The Benin government's website has a full list and a selection of photos of senior ministers. HP G72-130SB Battery

Legislative branch

The National Assembly is the Parliament of Benin - the primary legislative body. Deputies are elected every four years, in contrast to the five year term of the president. There are 83 available seats. HP G72-130SF Battery

It exercises the legislative power and oversight authority over Government action. Members of the army are not allowed to stand unless they resign from their military position.

Elections and political parties

During the 2001 presidential elections alleged irregularities led to a boycott of the run-off poll by the main opposition candidates. HP G72-140ED Battery

The four top-ranking contenders following the first round presidential elections were Mathieu Kérékou (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore Soglo (former president) 27.1%, Adrien Houngbédji (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno Amoussou (Minister of State) 8.6%. HP G72-110SD Battery

The second round balloting, originally scheduled for March 18, 2001, was postponed for days because both Soglo and Houngbédji withdrew, alleging electoral fraud. This left Kérékou to run against his own Minister of State, Amoussou, in what was termed a "friendly match". The next presidential elections were held in March 2006; HP G72-110SO Battery

with both Kérékou and Soglo constitutionally unable to stand, political newcomer Yayi Boni was elected, defeating Houngbédji in a second round of voting. Yayi Boni and his parliamentary allies also won the elections of 2011.

Benin has played an important role in the African music scene, producing one of the biggest stars to come out of the continent inAngélique Kidjo. HP G72-110SW Battery

Post-independence, the country was home to a vibrant and innovative music scene, where native folk music combined with Ghanaian highlife, French cabaret, American rock, funk and soul, and Congolese rumba. Ignacio Blazio Osho was perhaps the most influential musician of this period, alongside Pedro Gnonnas y sus Panchos, Les Volcans and Picoby Band d'Abomey. HP G72-120EB Battery

Pedro produced the song Feso Jaiye,^[1] which became a hit and was performed by many bands at the 2nd All-Africa Games in 1973.

In 1972, however, the Kérékou government came to power and instituted curfews and other measures that inhibited musical expression. HP G72-120EG Battery

After Kérékou, the first musician to become a star was Nel Oliver, who debuted in France in 1976. His distinctive style took elements from all over Africa and the United States to create "Afro-akpala-funk". The last few decades of the 20th century saw numerous other developments, HP G72-120EP Battery

including the rise of reggae (brought from Jamaica by Yaya Yaovi) and hip hop (most popularized byArdiess Posse), as well as a new wave of musicians, including Cella Stella, Africando, Ambroise Coffi Akoha, Bluecky d'Almeida andAngélique Kidjo.

Kérékou encouraged indigenous folk music. HP G72-120EV Battery

Some musicians, like Tohon Stan, adapted folk styles for mainstream audiences at home and abroad, including tchinkoumé, a funeral music played using water percussion which was adapted into tchink-system music.

The Gangbe brass band is an internationally-prominent Beninese ensemble. HP G72-120EW Battery

Despite their relative obscurity outside of Benin, The “Tout Puissant” Orchestre Poly-Rythmo are still a household name in Cotonou and were one of the most prolific groups to ever exist in Africa with over 50 full-length LPs and hundreds of 45s. Le Tout Puissant Poly Rythmo got their start in 1967 in Professor Wallace Creppy’s group, Sunny Black. HP G72-120SB Battery

Beninese guitarist Lionel Loueke is one of the most important young musicians in jazz, successfully fusing African influences with modern jazz. Loueke currently lives in New York and is a member of Herbie Hancock's band.

In 1994, a young artist decided to make professional music. HP G72-100 Battery

Zeynab Ouloukèmi Abiba, born in Abidjan, has been proven through various albums and singles. In 2001, Zeynab released "Intore" her first album. In 2002 she released Rhythm and blues, a bridge between RnBand Beninese culture. Zeynab Abib has had concerts, invitations outside of Benin, and a Kora trophy nomination. HP G72-101SA Battery

Zeynab released a second album "From one location to another" comprising 14 tracks.

According to the 2002 census, 27.1 percent of the population of Benin is Roman Catholic, 24.4 percent Muslim, 17.3 percent Vodun, 5 percent Celestial Christian, 3.2 percent Methodist, 7.5 percent other Christian, HP G72-102SA Battery

6 percent other traditional local religious groups, 1.9 percent other religious groups, and 6.5 percent claim no religious affiliation.^[1]

There are Christians, Muslims, and adherents of traditional local religious groups throughout the country.^[1] HP G72-105SA Battery

However, most adherents of the traditional Yoruba religious group are in the south, while other local religious beliefs are followed in the north.^[1] Muslims are represented most heavily in the north and southeast.^[1] Christians are prevalent in the south, particularly in Cotonou, the economic capital.^[1] HP G72-110EL Battery

It is not unusual for members of the same family to practice Christianity, Islam, traditional local religious beliefs, or a combination of all of these.

Christianity first reached Benin in 1680, gaining more permanent footing in the nineteenth century. HP G72-110EV Battery

English Methodists arrived in1843, operating amongst the coastal Gun people.More than half of all Christians in Benin are Catholic.^[1] The Catholic hierarchy in Benin consists of the Archdiocese of Cotonou (including the Dioceses of Abomey, Dassa-Zoumé, Lokossa, Porto Novo) and the Parakou (including the Dioceses of Djougou, Kandi, Natitingou, and N'Dali). HP G72-110SA Battery

There are 440 priests and 900 men and women in religious orders.Other Christian groups include Baptists, Methodists, Assemblies of God, Pentecostals,Seventh-day Adventists, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah's Witnesses, Celestial Christians,Rosicrucians, the Unification Church.^[1] HP G42-100 Battery

Many nominal Christians also practice traditional local religious beliefs.^[1]

Islam

Islam was brought to Benin from the north by Hausa, and Songhai-Dendi traders. Nearly all Muslims adhere to the Sunnibranch of Islam.^[1] The few Shi'a Muslims are primarily Middle Eastern expatriates.^[1] HP G42-101XX Battery

There is also a relatively large presence of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who recently inaugurated the Largest mosque in Benin, the Al Mahdi Mosque in 2006. Many nominal Muslims also practice traditional local religious beliefs.^[1]

Other groups

Other religious groups in Benin include Eckankar and Baha'is.^[1] HP G42-154CA Battery

Among the most commonly practiced local religious beliefs is the animist Vodun system of belief, also known as voodoo, which originated in this area of Africa.^[1]

Indigenous religions include local animistic religions in the Atakora (Atakora and Donga provinces) and Vodun and Orisha orOrisa veneration among the Yoruba and Tado peoples in the center and south of the countryHP G42-161LA Battery

. The town of Ouidah on the central coast is the spiritual center of Beninese Vodun.

Although its education system used not to be free,^[1] Benin has now abolished school fees and is carrying out the recommendations of its 2007 Educational Forum.^[2] HP G42-164LA Battery

In 1996, the gross primary enrollment rate was 72.5 percent, and the net primary enrollment rate was 59.3 percent.^[1] A far greater percentage of boys are enrolled in school than girls: in 1996, the gross primary enrollment rate for boys was 88.4 percent as opposed to 55.7 percent for girls; HP G42-165LA Battery

the net primary enrollment rates were 71.6 percent for boys and 46.2 percent for girls.^[1] Primary school attendance rates were unavailable for Benin as of 2001.^[1] While enrollment rates indicate a level of commitment to education, they do not always reflect children's participation in school.^[1] HP G42-200 Battery

HP G42-200XX Battery

Because of a rapid increase in the enrollment rate, the student/teacher ratio rose from 36:1 in 1990 to 53:1 in 1997.^[1] The overall adult literacyrate is nearly 40%.^[3] Only 25% of women in Benin are literate.

By the late 1980s, under Benin's Marxist government, HP G42-240LA Battery

the quality of education was seriously eroded and, by 1989, the education system was in a state of collapse.^[3]A key event in the reform of education in Benin was the national Conference on Education (Etats Généraux de l'Education-EGE) held in 1990 which adopted a national policy and strategy to improve education.^[3] HP G42-241LA Battery

Beginning in 1991, the government of Benin introduced significant changes within the Beninese education system.^[3]

Major advances have been made in education, especially in the areas of access and teaching/learning conditions.^[3] HP G42-250LA Battery

The gross enrollment rate has increased from a base of 49.7% in 1990 to 96% in 2004 and girls' enrollment from 36% in 1990 to 84% in 2004.^[3] Gender balance and geographic equity have shown significant improvements in gross numbers of girls and children from disadvantaged areas attending primary schools.^[3] HP G42-265LA Battery

Nonetheless, major constraints and challenges remain.

Beninese cuisine is known in Africa for its exotic ingredients and flavorful dishes.^[1] Beninese cuisine involves lots of fresh meals served with a variety of sauces.^[1] Meat is usually quite expensive, and meals are generally light on meat and generous onvegetable fat.^[1] HP G42-268LA Battery

In southern Benin cuisine, the most common ingredient is corn, often used to prepare dough which is mainly served with peanut- ortomato-based sauces.^[1] Fish and chicken are the most common meats used in southern Beninese cuisine is, but beef, goat and bush rat are also consumed.^[1] HP G42-270LA Battery

Meats are often fried in palm or peanut oil.^[1] Rice, beans, tomatoes and couscous are also significantstaple foods.^[1] Fruits are common in this region, including mandarin oranges, oranges, bananas, kiwi, avocados, pineapples andpeanuts.^[1]

Yams are the main staple in the northern Benin, and are also often served with peanut- or tomato-based sauces.^[1] HP G42T-200 Battery

The population in the northern provinces uses beef and pork meat which is also fried in palm or peanut oil or cooked in sauces.^[1] Cheese is also frequently used in some dishes. Couscous, rice and beans are also commonly eaten, along with fruits such as mangos, oranges, and avocados. HP G3000 Battery

Acarajé [akaɾaˈʒɛ] (  listen) is a dish made from peeled black-eyed peas formed into a ball and then deep-fried in dendê(palm oil). It is found in Nigerian and Brazilian cuisine. The dish is traditionally encountered in Brazil's northeastern state of Bahia, especially in the city of Salvador, often as street food, and is also found in most parts of Nigeria, Ghanaand the Republic of Benin. HP G3000EA Battery

It is served split in half and then stuffed with vatapá and caruru – spicy pastes made from shrimp, ground cashews, palm oil and other ingredients. The most common way of eating acarajé is splitting it in half, pouring vatapá and/or caruru, a salad made out of green and red tomatoes, fried shrimps and home made hot sauce. HP G3050EA Battery

A vegetarian version is typically served with hot peppers and green tomatoes. In Nigeria, it is commonly eaten for breakfast with gruel made from millet or corn.

Akara (as it is known in southwest and southeast Nigeria) was a recipe taken to Brazil by the slaves from the West Africancoast. HP G3051EA Battery

It is called "akara" by the Igbo people of south-eastern Nigeria and in the Yorubaland of south-western Nigeria, "kosai" by the Hausa people of Nigeria or "koose" in Ghana and is a popular breakfast dish, eaten with millet or cornporridge.

Today in Bahia, Brazil, most street vendors who serve acaraje are women, easily recognizable by their all-white cotton dresses and headscarves and caps. HP G5051EA Battery

The image of these women, often simply called "Baianas", frequently appears in artwork from the region of Bahia. Acaraje, however, is typically available outside of the state of Bahia as well, including the markets of Rio de Janeiro. HP G5051TU Battery

Dr. Thomas Yayi Boni (born 1 July 1952) is a Beninese banker and politician who has been President of Benin since 6 April 2006. He took office after winning the March 2006 presidential election and was re-elected to a second term in March 2011. Since January 2012, he has also been Chairperson of the African Union, having being elected at the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union. HP G5052EA Battery

Biography

Boni was born in Tchaourou, in the Borgou Department in northern Benin, then the French colony of Dahomey. He was educated in the regional capital, Parakou, and later studied economics at the National University of Benin. HP G5055EA Battery

He studied banking at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal, and later economics and politics at the University of Orléans in France and at Paris Dauphine University, where he completed a doctorate in economics in 1976.

From 1980 to 1988 Boni worked for the Central Bank of the States of West Africa (BCEAO), becoming its Deputy Director, based in Dakar. HP G5056EA Battery

In 1988 he became Deputy Director for Professional Development at the West African Centre for Banking Studies, also in Dakar. From 1992 to 1994 he worked in the office of the President of Benin, Nicéphore Soglo, in charge of monetary and banking policy. Finally in 1994 he was appointed President of the West African Development Bank (BOAD). HP G5060EF Battery

For his work on West African development he was appointed Chevalier de l'Ordre National de Mérite of the French Republic.

In the first round of the presidential elections, held on 5 March, Boni polled 32 percent. His nearest challenger, Adrien Houngbédji of the Party for Democratic Renewal, polled 25 percent. HP G5060EG Battery

Twenty-six candidates contested the election, which was reported to have been peaceful and fair. A runoff was held between Boni and Houngbédji on 19 March; Boni won with almost 75 percent of the vote.

Originally from a Muslim family,^[1] Boni is now an Evangelical Protestant. HP G5060EO Battery

He has five children, and his wife Chantal (née de Souza), a native of the coastal city of Ouidah, is the niece of the former military ruler Paul-Émile de Souza.

Boni was reelected in 2011, taking 53.18 percent of the vote in the first round—enough to avoid a runoff election. HP G5060EP Battery

He is the first president to win an election without a runoff since the restoration of democracy in 1991.

Assassination attempt

On 15 March 2007, Yayi Boni survived an ambush on his convoy near the village of Ikemon while returning from an election campaign rally in the town Ouesse for the upcoming parliamentary elections. HP G5060ET Battery

The attackers blocked the road with downed trees, and fired upon the vehicle that usually carries the President; however President Boni was traveling in a separate vehicle. Several of his entourage were wounded in the ensuing crossfire between the presidential guard and the would-be assassins.^[2] HP G5060EV Battery

However this information remains unproven since all sources claiming the assassination attempt come from the president's camp. The verification of such information remains impossible to date.

Dahomey was a French colony of and a part of French West Africa from 1904 to 1958. HP G5071TU Battery

After World War II, by the establishment of the French Fourth Republic in 1947, Dahomey became part of the French Union with an increased autonomy. On 11 December 1958, the French Fifth Republic was established and the French Union became the French Community. HP G5000 Battery

The colony became the self-governing Republic of Dahomey within the Community, and two years later on 1 August 1960 it gained full independence (and in 1975 it changed its name in Benin).

During the 13th century, the indigenous Edo people of the west Niger area were run by a group of local chieftains, HP G5001TU Battery

but by the 15th century a single ruler known as the 'oba' had asserted control. See Kingdom of Benin. Under the dynasty established by Ewuare the Great, the most famous of the obas, Benin's territory expanded to cover a region between theNiger River delta and what is now the Nigerian city of Lagos. HP G5002EA Battery

The obas brought great prosperity and a highly organized state to Benin. They also established good relations and an extensive slave trade with the Portuguese and Dutch who arrived from the 15th century onwards. HP G5002TU Battery

The decline of the obas began in the 18th century when a series of internal power struggles began which lasted into the 19th century, paving the way for the French takeover and colonization of the country in 1872. In 1904, the territory was incorporated into French West Africa as Dahomey. HP G5003EA Battery

Under the French a port was constructed at Cotonou, and railroads were built. School facilities were expanded by Roman Catholic missions. In 1946, Dahomey became an overseas territory with its own parliament and representation in the French national assembly; HP G5009EA Battery

and on 4 December 1958, it became the République du Dahomey, self-governing within the French Community.

On 1 August 1960, the Republic of Dahomey gained full independence from France. The first president was Hubert Maga, who bore the title Prime Minister during the country's last year under French rule. HP G5040EA Battery

The People's Republic of Benin (French: République populaire du Bénin) was a socialist state (commonly known as "communist" in the Western world) located in the Gulf of Guinea on the African continent, which would become present-dayBenin. HP G5042EA Battery

The People's Republic was established on November 30, 1975, after the 1972 coup d'état in the Republic of Dahomey. It effectively lasted until March 1, 1990, with the adoption of a new constitution, despite the abolition of Marxism-Leninism in the nation in 1989.^[1][2] HP G5050EA Battery

On October 26, 1972, the army led by Commander Mathieu Kérékou overthrew the government, suspended the constitution and dissolved both the National Assembly and the Presidential Council. On November 30, 1972 it released the keynote address ofNew Politics of National Independence. HP G5050EI Battery

A new body, the National Council of the Revolution was created. The territorial administration was reformed, mayors and deputies replacing traditional structures (village chiefs, convents, animistpriests...). On November 30, 1974 he declared in the city of Abomey, before an assembly of stunned notables, HP G5050EO Battery

a speech proclaiming the formal accession of his government to Marxism-Leninism.^[3] He soon aligned Dahomey with the Soviet Union.^[4] The People's Revolutionary Party of Benin, designed as a vanguard party, was created on the same day as the country's only legal party. HP G5050ET Battery

The first year of the Marxist government was marked by purges in the state apparatus. Kérékou condemned, and sometimes executed, various representatives of the former political regime, and some of its own employees: Captain Michel Aipké, Interior minister, was sentenced to death and executed on a charge of adultery with the wife of the head of state. HP G5050EW Battery

He was shot, and activists invited to file past his body.^[5] On November 30, 1975, with the first anniversary of the speech of Abomey, Kérékou changed the country's name to Benin, named after the Benin Empire that had once flourished in neighboringNigeria. HP G6060EA Battery

The National Day was set for November 30, referring to three days of 1972, 1974, and 1975, dubbed by the regime the Three Glorious.

In January 1977, an attempted coup, called Operation Shrimp,^[6] led by the mercenary Bob Denard and supported by France,Gabon, HP G6060EG Battery

and Morocco failed and it helped to harden the regime, which was officially moving toward the way of a government-political party.^[7] The constitution was adopted on August 26 of that year, Article 4 stating:

"People's Republic of Benin, the road to development is socialism. HP G6061EA Battery

Its philosophical basis is Marxism-Leninism to be applied in a lively and creative manner to the realities of Benin. All activities of national social life in the People's Republic of Benin are organized in this way under the leadership of the revolution of Benin, detachment vanguard of exploited and oppressed masses, leading core of the Beninese people as a whole and its revolution".HP G6062EA Battery

A basic law established an all-powerful national assembly.^[9]

The opposition was muzzled, and political prisoners remained in detention for years without trial. The elections were held under a system of unique applications. Campaigns were conducted for rural development and improving education. HP G6062EM Battery

The government also pursued a policy of anti-religious inspiration, in order to root out witchcraft, forces of evil, and retrograde beliefs (West African Vodun, a traditional religion well established in the South, was prohibited,^[10] which did not prevent Kérékou, a few years later, from having his personal marabout). HP G6065EA Battery

Benin received only modest support from other communist countries, hosting several teams from cooperatingCuba, East Germany, the USSR, and North Korea.^[11]

Benin tried to implement extensive programs of economic and social development without getting results. HP G6065EM Battery

Mismanagement and corruption undermined the country's economy. The industrialization strategy by the internal market of Benin caused an escalation of foreign debt. Between 1980 and 1985, the annual service of its external debt raised from 20 to 49 million, HP G6090EA Battery

while its GNP droped from 1.402 to 1.024 billion and the stock of debt exploded from 424 to 817 million.^[12] The three former presidents, Hubert Maga, Sourou Migan Apithy, and Justin Ahomadegbe (imprisoned in 1972) were released in 1981. HP G6091EA Battery

A new constitution was adopted in 1978, and the first elections for the National Revolutionary Assembly were held in 1979. Kérékou was elected unopposed to a four-year term as president in 1980 and reelected in 1984. As was the case in most Marxist-Leninist states, HP G6092EA Battery

the National Revolutionary Assembly was nominally the highest source of state power, but in practice did little more than rubber-stamp decisions already made by Kérékou and the PRPB.

In 1986, the economic situation in Benin had become critical: the system, ironically, already dubbed the Marxism-Beninism,^[13]inherited the nickname of laxism-Leninism. HP G6092EG Battery

A popular running gag said that the number of supporters convinced by the regime did not exceeded twelve.^[14] Agriculture was disorganized, the Commercial Bank of Benin ruined, and communities were largely paralyzed due to lack of budget. On the political front, the violations of human rights, with cases of torture of political prisoners, contributed to social tension: HP G6093EA Battery

the church and the unions opposed more openly the regime.^[15] Plans for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) imposed in 1987 draconian economic measures: 10% additional levy on wages, hiring freezes, and compulsory retirements. On June 16, 1989, the People's Republic of Benin signed with the IMF a first adjustment plan, HP G6095EG Battery

in exchange for enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF) of 21.9 million Special Drawing Rights of the IMF. Were planned: a reduction in public expenditure and tax reform, privatizations, reorganization or liquidation of public enterprises, a policy of liberalization and the obligation to enter into that borrowing at concessional rates. HP G6096EG Battery

The IMF agreement set off a massive strike of students and staff, requiring the payment of their salaries and their scholarships. On June 22, 1989, the country signed a rescheduling agreement first with the Paris Club, for a total of $ 199 million and Benin was granted a 14.1% reduction of its debt. HP G6097EG Battery

The social and political turmoil, the catastrophic economic situation and the fall of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe, lead Kérékou to agree to bring down his regime. In February 1989, a pastoral letter signed by eleven bishops of Benin expressed its condemnation of the PRC. HP G6000 Battery

On December 7, 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.^[16] The Government accepted the establishment of a National Conference bringing together representatives of different political movements. HP G6010EG Battery

The Conference opened on February 19, 1990: Kérékou expressed himself in person on February 21 publicly recognising the failure of his policy, claiming to be ashamed of him. 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. HP G6030EA Battery

Kérékou remained head of state on a temporary basis. Kérékou said on February 28 to the attention of the Conference:I accept all the conclusions of your work.

A transitional government was set up in 1990, paving the way for the return of democracy and multi-party system. HP G6030EG Battery

The new constitution was adopted by referendum on December 2, 1990. The official name of Benin was preserved for the country, which became the Republic of Benin. Prime Minister Nicephore Soglo, won 67.7% of the votes and defeated Kérékou in the presidential election in March 1991. HP G6030EM Battery

Kérékou accepted the election results and left his office. He became president again by winning the election in 1996, having meanwhile dropped all references to Marxism and to atheism to become an evangelical pastor. HP G6031EA Battery

His return to power involved no recovery of a Marxist-Leninist regime in Benin. HP G6031EM Battery,HP G6032EA Battery,HP G6032EM Battery,HP G6033EA Battery,HP G6040EG Battery,HP G6050EG Battery,HP G6050EM Battery