Benin’s ‘Father of Democracy’ Dies at 82

Former President Mathieu Kerekou of Benin, who is known for the major role he played in ushering in multi-party democracy in Africa, has died at the age of 82.

Mr Kerekou who had been tagged as Benin’s ‘father of democracy’ had two spells as president totaling nearly 30 years, first coming to power as the head of a Marxist regime in 1972. But he accepted the idea of multi-party democracy and stepped down after defeat in the 1991 election.

His willingness to relinquish power was seen as an example for the continent.

Meanwhile, the current President, Thomas Boni Yayi described the former head of state in Benin as a great man and declared a week of official mourning.

Mr Kerekou abandoned Marxism-Leninism as Benin's official ideology in December 1989, in part in reaction to the changing situation in global politics following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

He was also under pressure because of the difficult economic situation and faced a series of protests.He stepped down in 1991 after losing to Nicephore Soglo in a multi-party poll.

He returned to power in 1996 after beating Mr Soglo in a democratic election and then won a second and final five-year term in office in 2001.