Timeline of Benin

Chronology

13 events spanning the history of Benin. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1851

   Treaty of friendship and trade

   France signed a treaty of friendship and trade with the ruler of Porto-Novo, who was a vassal of Dahomey’s King Glélé

2. 1899

   French West Africa

   Dahomey is incorporated into French West Africa

3. 1946

   Overseas Territory of France

   Dahomey becomes an overseas territory of France.

4. 1958

   Self Governing

   Dahomey becomes self-governing, within the French Community.

5. 1960

   President Hubert Maga

   Elections won by the Parti Dahomeen de L’Unite. Party leader Hubert Maga becomes country’s first president.

6. 1960

   French West Africa

   Independence is proclaimed and the following month Dahomey was admitted to the United Nations (UN).

7. 1963

   Four Coups in six years

   The first president, Hubert Maga, was ousted in 1963 by the army commander Chief of Staff, Colonel Christophe Soglo, and a series of four coups followed in the next six years.

8. 1975

   People’s Republic of Benin

   Dahomey is renamed the People’s Republic of Benin.

9. 1975

   Parti de la Revolution Populaire du Benin (PRPB)

   The Parti de la Revolution Populaire du Benin (PRPB) is established as the country’s only political party

10. 1990

    Republic of Benin

    In 1989 President Kerekou re-elected for a third term. Marxism-Leninism is abandoned as Benin’s official ideology. Anti-government strikes and demonstrations take place. Beginning in 1990 President Kerekou meets dissident leaders. Agreement on constitutional reform and multi-candidate presidential elections is reached. In March Benin drops "people’s" from its official title and becomes the Republic of Benin. In December in a referendum, the constitutional changes are approved by a majority of voters.