List of presidents of Benin facts for kids

This article lists the leaders of Benin, called Presidents, since the country became independent in 1960. Before 1975, Benin was known as Dahomey. These presidents have guided the nation through different times.

Understanding Political Groups

Here's a quick guide to the political groups mentioned:      Dahomeyan Unity Party (PDU)      Dahomeyan Democratic Party (PDD)      People's Revolutionary Party of Benin (PRPB)      Benin Rebirth Party (RB)      Action Front for Renewal and Development (FARD–Alafia)

Other groups

     Military      Independent

Special status

     This color means the person was acting or interim head of state.

Leaders of Benin (Dahomey)

This table shows the presidents and leaders of Benin, from its independence to today.

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Elected	Time in office			Political group	Prime minister(s)
				Started office	Left office	Total time
Republic of Dahomey (1960–1975)
1		Hubert Maga (1916–2000)	1960	1 August 1960	28 October 1963 (Removed by military)	3 years, 88 days	Independent / PDU	Himself
–		Christophe Soglo (1909–1983)	—	28 October 1963	25 January 1964	89 days	Military	Position abolished
2		Sourou-Migan Apithy (1913–1989)	1964	25 January 1964	27 November 1965 (Stepped down)	1 year, 306 days	PDD	Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin
–		Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin (1917–2002)	—	27 November 1965	29 November 1965	2 days	PDD	Himself
–		Tahirou Congacou (1911–1993)	—	29 November 1965	22 December 1965 (Removed by military)	23 days	PDD	Position abolished
3		Christophe Soglo (1909–1983)	—	22 December 1965	19 December 1967 (Removed by military)	1 year, 362 days	Military	Position abolished
–		Jean-Baptiste Hachème (1929–1998)	—	19 December 1967	20 December 1967	1 day	Military	Position abolished
–		Maurice Kouandété (1932–2003)	—	20 December 1967	21 December 1967	1 day	Military	Position abolished
–		Alphonse Alley (1930–1987)	—	21 December 1967	17 July 1968	209 days	Military	Kouandété
4		Émile Derlin Zinsou (1918–2016)	1968 (Jul)	17 July 1968	10 December 1969 (Removed by military)	1 year, 146 days	Independent	Position abolished
–		Maurice Kouandété (1932–2003)	—	10 December 1969	13 December 1969	3 days	Military	Position abolished
–		Paul-Émile de Souza (1930–1999)	—	13 December 1969	7 May 1970	145 days	Military	Position abolished
1		Hubert Maga (1916–2000)	—	7 May 1970	7 May 1972	2 years	Independent	Position abolished
2		Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin (1917–2002)	—	7 May 1972	26 October 1972 (Removed by military)	172 days	Independent	Position abolished
5		Mathieu Kérékou (1933–2015)	—	26 October 1972	30 November 1975	3 years, 35 days	Military	Position abolished
People's Republic of Benin (1975–1990)
(5)		Mathieu Kérékou (1933–2015)	1980 1984 1989	30 November 1975	1 March 1990	14 years, 120 days	Military / PRPB	Position abolished
Republic of Benin (1990–present)
(5)		Mathieu Kérékou (1933–2015)	—	1 March 1990	4 April 1991	1 year, 34 days	PRPB / Independent	Soglo
6		Nicéphore Soglo (born 1934)	1991	4 April 1991	4 April 1996	5 years	RB	Position abolished
(5)		Mathieu Kérékou (1933–2015)	1996 2001	4 April 1996	6 April 2006	10 years, 2 days	Independent / FARD–Alafia	Houngbédji
7		Thomas Boni Yayi (born 1951)	2006 2011	6 April 2006	6 April 2016	10 years	Independent (Connected with the FCBE)	Koupaki Zinsou
8		Patrice Talon (born 1958)	2016 2021	6 April 2016	Incumbent	9 years, 118 days	Independent (Supported by the UPR and the BR)	Position abolished

Timeline of Benin's Leaders

This timeline shows when each president served.

More to Explore

• President of Benin
• Vice President of Benin
• List of prime ministers of Benin
• List of colonial governors of Dahomey
• Politics of Benin

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de la República de Benín para niños