Nicéphore Soglo

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Nicéphore Dieudonné Soglo (born 29 November 1934) is a Beninese politician who was Prime Minister of Benin from 1990 to 1991 and President from 1991 to 1996.

Jacques Chirac and Nicéphore Dieudonné Soglo, December 1st, 1995 in Cotonou

After receiving degrees in law and economics from the University of Paris, Soglo returned to Benin (then called Dahomey) and held government posts in the areas of finance and economics. Following the 1972 coup that brought Mathieu Kérékou to power, he left the country and held positions at international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

In the late 1980s, faced with growing dissatisfaction over a stagnant economy, the Kérékou government agreed to convene a national conference that would lead the country towards multiparty democracy. The conference designated Nicéphore Soglo interim Prime Minister, and he took office on 12 March 1990. The conference produced a constitution that was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum held on 2 December 1990.

In the country's first multiparty presidential election, Soglo received first place in the first round, held on 10 March 1991, with 36.31% of the vote. A run-off against Kérékou followed on 24 March in which Soglo won a strong majority, 67.73% of the vote.^[1] He took office on 4 April 1991.

In 1992, his wife Rosine founded the Renaissance Party of Benin (known by the acronym PRB or RB). He was appointed leader of the party in 1994.

During his presidency, Soglo took efforts to refurbish Benin's devastated economy. These economic measures caused civil unrest and undermined his popularity. Despite these problems, his government was praised for its adherence to democratic principles and respect for human rights.

In the March 1996 presidential election, Soglo again received first place in the first round, but in the second round he was defeated by Mathieu Kérékou, taking 47.51% of the vote.^[1] Soglo alleged election fraud, but this was rejected by the Constitutional Court.^[2]

In a bid to regain the presidency in the March 2001 election, he placed second behind Mathieu Kérékou, winning 27.12% of the vote. Although Soglo qualified to participate in a run-off against Kérékou, he withdrew alleging irregularities, which resulted in a Kérékou victory.^[1] Soglo could not run for president again in the March 2006 election due to the age limit of 70 years; his son Lehady Soglo ran as the candidate of the Renaissance Party instead,^[3] coming in fourth place with 8.44% of the vote.^[1] Another son, Galiou, also ran in the election,^[4] but he fared more poorly than Lehady, receiving only about 0.17% of the vote.^[1]

Nicéphore Soglo was elected mayor of Benin's economic capital, Cotonou, by the city's council in February 2003.^[5]