Kerekou, Mathieu Ahmed (1933– )

Benin socialist politician and soldier, president 1980–91 and 1996–2005. In 1972, while deputy head of the army, he led a coup to oust the ruling president and establish his own military government. He embarked on a programme of ‘scientific socialism’, changing the country's name to Benin to mark the change of direction. In 1987 he resigned from the army and confirmed a civilian administration. He was re-elected president in 1989, but lost to Nicéphore Soglo in the 1991 presidential elections. He won the 1996 presidential elections, despite claims of fraud, and was re-elected in 2001.