MAURICE KOUANDETE

Maurice Kouandété was born in the Gaba District of northern Dahomey to Somba parents. He was a cousin of Mathieu Kérékou, who later became the president of Benin. In his late teens, Kouandété enlisted in the army and furthered his military education at Ecole Militaire and Saint Cyr in France. His time in the army was marked by a growing dissent against senior officers, particularly Colonels Christophe Soglo and Alphonse Alley, as well as the dominant Fon hierarchy within the Dahomeyan military. Despite his contentious relationship with them, Kouandété gained popularity among junior soldiers from the north, while southern soldiers increasingly viewed him with disdain.

Kouandété's rise to power coincided with a period of intense regionalism in Dahomey, driven by historical grievances among the different ethnic groups. This resulted in the emergence of three main tribal zones, each with its own distinct identity. Despite his disdain for Soglo, Kouandété was appointed to the president's palace guard in 1965 but was removed the following year due to alleged falsifications of reports against Soglo. He subsequently became Alley’s chief of staff in 1967, where his opposition to Alley during meetings further deepened the divisions within the military.

On December 17, 1967, Kouandété, alongside Kérékou and 60 other soldiers, orchestrated a military coup that resulted in the ousting of Soglo. Initially uncertain of how to wield his newfound power, Kouandété faced a lack of popular support but was urged to maintain his position by his faction. Two days later, to stabilize the situation, he appointed Alley as provisional president, after previously detaining him. Kouandété then served as prime minister, but this arrangement was temporary, with plans for a return to civilian rule in six months. However, by July 17, 1968, Kouandété forced Alley to resign, handing power to Dr. Émile Derlin Zinsou in a move aimed at improving relations with France.

In 1969, Kouandété discovered that Zinsou intended to replace him and reduce the size of the armed forces. On December 10, 1969, he staged another coup, ousting Zinsou amidst gunfire at the presidential palace. Though Kouandété justified his actions by claiming that Zinsou had failed to unite the country, he struggled for recognition from the military establishment. A Military Directorate was formed to govern the country, but Kouandété lost his chief of staff position and became an aide to Alley, who had been released from imprisonment.

Kouandété attempted to seize power once more in February 1972 but was foiled in his efforts. Following a military trial, he received a death sentence for his involvement in the coup attempt, but the execution was never carried out due to fears that he would seize power again. When Major Mathieu Kérékou took control in October 1972, Kouandété was pardoned and subsequently retired from military life.

Maurice Kouandété passed away on April 7, 2003, in Natitingou at the age of 70, following a prolonged illness. The Beninese government declared three national days of mourning to honor his contributions to the nation, recognizing his "exceptional services" to Benin during his life.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Kouand%C3%A9t%C3%A9