Thomas Boni Yayi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Boni Yayi
|
|
|---|---|
Boni in 2012
|
|
| 7th President of Benin | |
| In office 6 April 2006 – 6 April 2016 |
|
| Prime Minister | Pascal Koupaki Lionel Zinsou |
| Preceded by | Mathieu Kérékou |
| Succeeded by | Patrice Talon |
| 10th Chairperson of the African Union | |
| In office 29 January 2012 – 27 January 2013 |
|
| Preceded by | Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo |
| Succeeded by | Hailemariam Desalegn |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Yayi Boni
1 July 1951 Tchaourou, Dahomey (now Benin) |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Chantal de Souza |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Marcel Alain de Souza (brother-in-law) |
| Alma mater | National University of Benin Cheikh Anta Diop University University of Orléans Paris Dauphine University |
Thomas Boni Yayi (born 1 July 1951) is a Beninese banker and politician. He served as the president of Benin from 2006 to 2016. He won the election in March 2006 and was re-elected in March 2011. He also led the African Union as its chairperson from January 2012 to January 2013.
Contents
Early Life and Banking Career
Boni was born in Tchaourou, a town in northern Benin. At that time, Benin was known as the French colony of Dahomey. He first studied in Parakou, a regional capital. Later, he earned a master's degree in economics from the National University of Benin.
He continued his studies abroad. He got another master's degree in economics from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal. Then, he earned a doctorate in economics and politics in France. He studied at the University of Orléans and Paris Dauphine University, finishing his doctorate in 1976.
After his education, Boni started a long career in banking. From 1975 to 1979, he worked at the Benin Commercial Bank. He then moved to the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), where he worked from 1977 to 1989.
From 1992 to 1994, he was an economic adviser to Benin's President, Nicéphore Soglo. In 1994, he became the President of the West African Development Bank (BOAD).
Becoming President of Benin
In March 2006, Boni was one of 26 people running for president. The current president, Mathieu Kérékou, had been in power for a long time. Many people wondered if he would allow a smooth change of leadership.
Boni surprised many by getting 35.8% of the votes in the first round. He ran as an independent candidate, meaning he was not part of a specific political party. His main goals were to improve government, help businesses grow, offer better education for women, and modernize farming.
His closest opponent was Adrien Houngbédji. In the final round of voting on March 19, 2006, Boni won with almost 75% of the votes. He officially became president on April 6, 2006. Many observers said the 2006 election was fair and had a high number of voters.
First Term and Challenges
In the 2007 elections for parliament, a group of parties supporting Boni won the most seats. This group was led by the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE). However, this group later broke apart by 2010. This made it hard for Boni to pass many of his plans.
By August 2010, some members of parliament tried to remove Boni from office. This was related to a large financial issue that affected many people's savings in Benin. They did not get enough votes to remove him, but the opposition decided to support Houngbédji in the next election.
Second Term and Leaving Office
A new voting system was used for the 2011 presidential election. Many opposition groups criticized it. With help from international groups, Boni agreed to delay the election by two weeks.
International observers said the election was fair. Boni won in the first round with 53.8% of the votes. Houngbédji, who got 36%, challenged the results. However, the court confirmed Boni as the winner on March 21, 2011. This led to protests and police actions against them.
Even with protests, the opposition groups were divided. Boni's supporting parties won 49 out of 83 seats in the parliament. Boni is the only president since Benin became a democracy again to win the presidency in just one round of voting.
After serving two terms, Boni Yayi had to step down in 2016 because of the country's laws. His chosen successor, Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, lost the election. Patrice Talon won the March 2016 election, and Boni Yayi was succeeded by Talon on April 6, 2016.
Soon after leaving office, Boni Yayi led a group of observers for the April 2016 presidential election in Equatorial Guinea. In September 2021, he met with President Patrice Talon in Cotonou. During this meeting, Boni Yayi shared ideas and requests, including asking for the release of some people who were in prison.
Safety Concerns and Allegations
On March 15, 2007, there were reports of an attack on Boni Yayi's convoy. This happened near the village of Ikemon as he was returning from an election event. Attackers reportedly blocked the road and fired at the vehicle that usually carried the President. However, President Boni was in a different car. Some of his team were hurt in the gunfire. It is important to note that all reports of this attack came from the president's side, and it has been hard to confirm the details.
On October 23, 2012, news reports stated that the president's doctor, niece, and a former minister were arrested. They were accused of being part of a plan to harm the president. A businessman, Patrice Talon, was reportedly involved. He was accused of paying the niece to replace the president's medicine with a harmful substance while he was visiting Brussels.
In 2013, authorities in Benin said they stopped a plan to illegally take over the government. In February, two individuals were detained after they reportedly blocked Boni Yayi's path as he returned from a trip. Some people believed that Boni's government was being targeted because it was fighting against corruption. Others thought that the government used the justice system to silence people who disagreed with them or to control the media.
Personal Life
Boni Yayi grew up in a Muslim family, but he is now an Evangelical Protestant. He has five children. His wife, Chantal (née de Souza), is from the city of Ouidah. Her family has important historical connections in Benin.
Boni Yayi is a descendant of the Yoruba princes of Sabe. In 2008, both he and his wife received special titles from the Nigerian king of Ile-Ife, Olubuse II.
See also
In Spanish: Yayi Boni para niños
