Christophe Soglo
Encyclopedia
Christophe Soglo was a Beninese
military officer and political leader and one of the most important figures in Benin's period of political instability and frequent, though usually bloodless, coups during the 1960s.
in the army and became the chief of staff under President Hubert Maga
. On October 28 1963 Soglo took control of the country to prevent a civil war. He established a provisional government with himself as chairman. After reorganizing the government, he gave up power in January 1964 and allowed former premier Sourou-Migan Apithy
to become president. Soon Apithy and other political leaders began massive feuds over policies. After repeatedly encouraging the various political forces to agree to dialogue, Soglo again overthrew the government in November 1965 and served as President of Benin under a military government until December 1967, when a group of younger army officers overthrew him. Soglo then retired from politics.
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
military officer and political leader and one of the most important figures in Benin's period of political instability and frequent, though usually bloodless, coups during the 1960s.
Biography
After Benin achieved independence in 1960, Soglo was given the rank of colonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the army and became the chief of staff under President Hubert Maga
Hubert Maga
Coutoucou Hubert Maga was a politician from Dahomey .Dahomey was renamed Benin in 1975. See . He arose on a political scene where one's power was dictated by what region in Dahomey they lived...
. On October 28 1963 Soglo took control of the country to prevent a civil war. He established a provisional government with himself as chairman. After reorganizing the government, he gave up power in January 1964 and allowed former premier Sourou-Migan Apithy
Sourou-Migan Apithy
Sourou-Migan Marcellin Joseph Apithy was a Beninese political figure most active when his country was known as Dahomey. He arose on a political scene where one's power was dictated by what region in Dahomey they lived....
to become president. Soon Apithy and other political leaders began massive feuds over policies. After repeatedly encouraging the various political forces to agree to dialogue, Soglo again overthrew the government in November 1965 and served as President of Benin under a military government until December 1967, when a group of younger army officers overthrew him. Soglo then retired from politics.