Internal political developments in Dahomey (Benin) 1960-1990

Abstract

Since its independence from French colonialism on August 1, 1960, the political system in the Republic of Benin has witnessed multiple political transformations and suffered from disintegration and conflict between political parties. In this research paper, we intend to shed light on the tensions and state of political chaos that have prevailed in the country since independence, which was represented by With the phenomenon of multiple military coups. A democratic experiment began in Dahomey in 1960, but it was interrupted by the military coups that Benin witnessed. Ten military coups took place there starting in 1963, five of which succeeded, the last of which was on November 28, 1972, which brought Mathieu Kérékou to power Power, and the latter established an authoritarian regime for eighteen years, adopting Marxism-Leninism as an ideological and philosophical orientation that paved the way for the launch of socialist thought in Benin. After a decade of relatively successful administration under Mathieu Kérékou, the country entered a difficult period, characterized by economic, social and political crises starting from In 1980, the state was no longer able to find a solution to the difficulties it faced. To address this situation, the government convened the National Conference of Living Forces in 1990. This conference heralded a new democratic era in Benin, and key decisions were made toward a radical change in the ideological political system, transitioning the country from a monolithic system to a multiparty democracy.