LOUIS LANSANA BEAVOGUI

Louis Lansana Beavogui was born in Macenta, a town in southern Guinea, and belonged to the Toma ethnic group. He pursued medical studies at the School of Medicine and Pharmacy in Dakar, Senegal, becoming a qualified medic. After completing his training, Beavogui worked as an assistant medical officer in Guéckédou and later as a medical officer in Kissidougou. His career took a significant turn towards politics in 1953 when he was elected as a town councillor. A year later, he became the Mayor of Kissidougou at just 31 years old. In January 1956, he further expanded his political footprint by being elected to the National Assembly of France as one of three deputies representing French Guinea.

With Guinea's independence in 1958, Beavogui emerged as a key figure in the new government under President Ahmed Sékou Touré. He was appointed as Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning, helping to shape Guinea’s early economic policies. His diplomatic skills earned him the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1961, a position he held until 1969. During this time, he represented Guinea on the international stage, including at the first Non-Aligned Movement summit in Belgrade. His diplomatic career, however, was not without challenges—such as in 1966 when he was detained by authorities in Ghana while en route to an Organization of African Unity conference in Ethiopia. Following his tenure as Foreign Minister, he returned to his previous role as Minister of Economic Affairs.

In 1972, the political landscape in Guinea shifted, and Beavogui was appointed as Guinea's first Prime Minister. His appointment was announced by President Touré at the conclusion of the Ninth Congress of the ruling Democratic Party of Guinea (PDG). Beavogui served as Prime Minister from 26 April 1972 until 3 April 1984, during a period marked by one-party rule and strong central governance.

The sudden death of President Touré on 26 March 1984 led to a critical transition in Guinea's leadership. As per the Guinean Constitution, Beavogui assumed the role of interim president. Many expected that he would succeed Touré permanently, as the PDG's Politburo was set to select a new leader, and the position of party leader was effectively equivalent to the presidency. During his brief time as interim president, Beavogui paid tribute to Touré, participating in funeral ceremonies and welcoming foreign delegations who came to mourn the late leader.

However, this transitional period was cut short when a military coup, led by Colonel Lansana Conté and Lieutenant Colonel Diarra Traoré, overthrew the government on 3 April 1984, just hours before the scheduled PDG meeting. The military dissolved the PDG, suspended the Constitution, and ended Beavogui's brief stint as the country's leader.

After the coup, Beavogui was detained and imprisoned in Kindia. His health deteriorated during his imprisonment, and he was eventually moved to Conakry for medical treatment. He passed away in August 1984, succumbing to complications from diabetes while hospitalized.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Lansana_Beavogui