Christophe Soglo

Christophe Soglo (28 June 1909 – 7 October 1983) was a Beninese military officer and political leader.

Christophe Soglo
3rd President of Dahomey
In office
22 December 1965 – 19 December 1967
Preceded byTahirou Congacou (acting)
Succeeded byJean-Baptiste Hachème
Head of the Provisional Government
In office
28 October 1963 – 25 January 1964
Preceded byHubert Maga
(as President of Dahomey)
Succeeded bySourou-Migan Apithy
(as President of Dahomey)
Personal details
Born(1909-06-28)28 June 1909
Abomey, Dahomey
Died7 October 1983(1983-10-07) (aged 74)
ProfessionMilitary officer
Signature

Early life

Christophe Soglo was born on 28 June 1909 in Abomey, French Dahomey to a chiefly Fon family.[1]

Military career

In 1931, Soglo voluntarily enlisted in the French Army. He fought during World War II, serving in Morocco and participating in the Allies' landings in Corsica, Elba, and southern France. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant,[1] at the end of the war he was made a staff officer for the French Colonial Army. In 1947 he was attached to the French Ministry of Overseas as a military advisor. Securing the rank of captain on 1 January 1950, he was sent to French Indochina and fought in First Indochina War.[2] He was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1956[1] for his service during the war. While there he met a French-Vietnamese woman whom he later married.[2] Following France's defeat in Indochina he was given the rank of major and stationed in Senegal, where he remained until 1960.[1] After Benin achieved independence in 1960, Soglo was given the rank of colonel in the army and became its chief of staff under President Hubert Maga.[3]

Political career

On October 28, 1963, Soglo took control of the country to prevent a civil war.[3] Soglo had previously declared loyalty to Maga's government. He established a provisional government with himself as chairman after dissolving the national assembly.[4] 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. He died on October 7, 1983, at the age of 74.

Citations
  1. Houngnikpo & Decalo 2012, p. 326.
  2. "A Year of Soglo". West Africa. 31 December 1966.
  3. Matthews 1966, p. 152.
  4. "Maga Overthrown by Army Chieftain". The Lincoln Star. Associated Press. October 29, 1963. p. 1.

References
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