On this day in 1977, French mercenaries attempted to overthrow the People's Republic of Benin. President Kérékou’s Presidential Guard, aided by North Korean soldiers, effectively repelled the invading force, and the coup failed.

Following a coup of young military officers in 1972, the junta government of Benin (then known as Dahomey) would cooperate closely with various domestic socialist political groups.

This leftward turn would culminate in President Mathieu Kérékou proclaiming the formal accession of his government to Marxism-Leninism in 1974, and the official establishment of the People's Republic of Benin in 1975.

Benin's turn towards socialism would draw the ire of its former colonial master, France. A small group of Beninese political exiles would make their home in France and conspire with Robert Denard, a notorious French, anti-communist, imperialist mercenary.

Denard and the exiles would form a small army of around 150 hired guns. Led by Denard, this group created a planned to depose Kérékou and received funds, arms, and training from several pro-French African governments, including Morocco, Togo, and the Ivory Coast.

The mercenaries departed from a Gabonese airstrip in the early hours of January 16th, 1977, disguised as a civilian aircraft and destined for Cotonou, the executive seat of the government of Benin.

Upon landing at the Cotonou airport around 7 am, the mercenaries quickly took control of both air traffic control and the airport's main terminal, then advanced towards the Presidential Palace.

Kérékou, informed of the ongoing assault, would call on civilians over the radio to take up arms in defense against the coup. The Army, Presidential Guard, which President Kérékou had expanded North Korean soldiers, and armed civilians defend the Presidential Palace until the mercenaries retreated back to the airport and returned to Gabon.

Seven Beninese were killed during the attack: 6 soldiers and 1 civilian. A large monument in central Cotonou was erected in their memory in 1979.

Today, January 16th is celebrated as Martyr's Day in Benin to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting against neo-colonialism.

In 1977, 80 Mercenaries Nearly Took Over Benin :france-cool:

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  • Abraxiel
    ·
    2 years ago

    Le doigt Francais