Christophe Soglo | |
|---|---|
 An illustration of Soglo produced byVoice of America | |
| 3rdPresident of Dahomey | |
| In office 22 December 1965 – 19 December 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Tahirou Congacou (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Jean-Baptiste Hachème |
| Head of the Provisional Government | |
| In office 28 October 1963 – 25 January 1964 | |
| Preceded by | Hubert Maga (as President of Dahomey) |
| Succeeded by | Sourou-Migan Apithy (as President of Dahomey) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1909-06-28)28 June 1909 |
| Died | 7 October 1983(1983-10-07) (aged 74) |
| Profession | Military officer |
| Signature |  |
Christophe Soglo (28 June 1909 – 7 October 1983) was aBeninese military officer and political leader.
Christophe Soglo was born on 28 June 1909 inAbomey,French Dahomey to a chieflyFon family.[1]
In 1931, Soglo voluntarily enlisted in the French Army. He fought duringWorld War II, serving inMorocco and participating in theAllies' landings inCorsica,Elba, andsouthern France. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant,[1] at the end of the war he was made a staff officer for theFrench Colonial Army. In 1947 he was attached to theFrench Ministry of Overseas as a military advisor. Securing the rank of captain on 1 January 1950, he was sent toFrench Indochina and fought in theFirst Indochina War.[2] He was awarded theCroix 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 ofcolonel in the army and became its chief of staff under PresidentHubert Maga.[3]
On October 28, 1963, Soglotook 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 premierSourou-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.[5]
 Republic of Dahomey (1960–1975) | |
|---|---|
 People's Republic of Benin (1975–1990) | |
| Republic of Benin (1990–present) | |
† Military * Interim | |