People's Revolutionary Party of Benin
People's Revolutionary Party of Benin Parti de la révolution populaire du Bénin | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | PRPB |
| Governing body | Central Committee |
| Founder | Mathieu Kérékou |
| Founded | 30 November 1975 (50 years, 114 days) |
| Dissolved | 30 April 1990 (35 years, 328 days) |
| Succeeded by | Union of Forces of Progress |
| Headquarters | Porto-Novo |
| Newspaper | Ehuzu |
| Youth wing | Organisation de la Jeunesse Révolutionnaire du Bénin (French) |
| Women's wing | Organisation des Femmes Révolutionnaires du Bénin |
| Ideology | Marxism–Leninism[1][2][3] Beninese nationalism[4][5][6] Left-wing nationalism[7] |
| Colors | Red Yellow |
| Party flag | |
The People's Revolutionary Party of Benin (French: Parti de la Révolution Populaire du Bénin, PRPB) was a socialist[1] political party in the People's Republic of Benin. It was founded in 1975 by Mathieu Kérékou, a General. Under the new constitution of 30 November 1975, the PRPB became the sole legal political party in the country.[8] Ideologically, the party officially adhered to Marxism–Leninism, although it was broadly nationalist in pratice.[4][5][6]
History
In 1972, the former French colony of Republic of Dahomey expierenced a military coup d'état, bringing Major Mathieu Kérékou to power. In 1975, Kérékou announced that the country would be renamed Benin and that a new political organisation, the People's Revolutionary Party of Benin would be established to participate in elections.[9] It was subsequently decided that the PRPB would be the sole legal political party, creating a one-party state organised according to Communist principles.[10]
In the parliamentary elections of 1979, 1984 and 1989, the PRPB was the only party contesting in the elections. In 1979, the party lists received 1,243,286 votes (97.9%), in 1984, the party received 1,811,208 votes (98.1%) and in 1989, the party received 1,695,860 votes (89.6%).[11][12]
In 1989, , following the parliamentary election, the PRPB formally renounced Marxism–Leninism as its official ideological doctrine.[13] The government also repealed the one-party state framework, permitting the formation of new political parties.[14] The PRPB remained the governing force of Benin until 1990.[15] The party subsequently dissolved, and Mathieu Kérékou contested the 1991 Beninese presidential election as an independent candidate rather than under the PRPB label.[16] The PRPB was succeeded by the Union of Forces of Progress.[17]
Electoral history
Presidential elections
| Election | Party candidate | Votes | % | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President elected by the National Revolutionary Assembly | ||||
| 1980[18] | Mathieu Kérékou | 336 | 100% | Elected |
| 1984[18] | 196 | 100% | Elected | |
| 1989[18] | 206 | 100% | Elected | |
National Revolutionary Assembly elections
| Election | Party leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Mathieu Kérékou | 1,248,613 | 98.3% | 336 / 336
|
336 | 1st | Sole legal party |
| 1984 | 1,811,808 | 98.2% | 196 / 196
|
140 | 1st | Sole legal party | |
| 1989 | 1,695,860 | 89.6% | 206 / 206
|
10 | 1st | Sole legal party |
See also
References
- ^ a b Omar Diop, Political parties and democratic transition process in Black Africa, Publibook, 2006, page 33
- ^ "African marxist military regimes, rise and fall: internal conditioners and international dimensions". Archived from the original on 28 October 2020.
- ^ Philippe David, The Benin, Karthala, 1998, page 60
- ^ a b Morrison, Nathan (27 August 2008). "A short history of the People's Republic of Benin (1974 - 1990)". Socialist Appeal. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ a b Allen, Chris (1992). "'Goodbye to All That': The Short and Sad Story of Socialism in Benin". In Hughes, Arnold (ed.). Marxism's Retreat from Africa. Psychology Press. ISBN 9780714645025.
- ^ a b Humphrey, Bill (16 October 2015). "Complicated former longtime president of Benin dies". Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ https://seer.ufrgs.br/index.php/rbea/article/download/97061/58862/446433
- ^ Chronologie BENIN Archived 2007-01-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Dahomey Announces Its Name Will be Benin". The New York Times. 2 December 1975. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ Nohlen, Dieter (1999). Elections in Africa: A data handbook. Oxford University Press. p. 90. ISBN 0198296452.
- ^ "Benin 1979" (PDF). ipu.org. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "Benin 1984" (PDF). ipu.org. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "Dahomey/Benin (1960-present)". UCA. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "National dialogue: Lessons Uganda can draw from Benin, DR Congo". Monitor. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Présidentielle 2006 au Bénin". BBCAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ Noble, Kenneth B. (10 March 1991). "Free Vote in Benin ITS First in Years". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ Lea, David; Rowe, Annamarie (2001). A Political Chronology of Africa. Taylor & Francis. p. 34. ISBN 1857431162.
- ^ a b c Elections in Benin African Elections Database