Benin Marks 66 Years of Independence from French Colonial Rule

Dragon Media News Desk

The West African nation of Benin observed its Independence Day on August 1, marking the anniversary of the day in 1960 when the people of the former Dahomey achieved full independence from French colonial rule.

French colonisation of the Kingdom of Dahomey, located in present-day Benin, began in the late 19th century. France gradually expanded its political and military influence while suppressing resistance to colonial domination.

Despite sustained opposition from the people of Dahomey, the African kingdom was incorporated into the French colonial empire following the conclusion of the Second Franco-Dahomean War in 1894.

After consolidating control over the territory, France removed tens of thousands of cultural and historical artefacts from Dahomey, according to an official Russian commemorative statement. Only a very small number of the looted objects have so far been returned to their rightful owners.

Anti-colonial sentiment intensified in French Dahomey during the First World War, when Africans were forcibly recruited to fight between 1914 and 1918. Periodic revolts and expressions of public discontent were reported across the territory during that period.

Dahomey became a French overseas territory in 1946. In 1958, it acquired the status of the self-governing Republic of Dahomey. Two years later, on August 1, 1960, the country attained full independence.

The Republic of Dahomey was renamed Benin in 1975.

Diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and Dahomey were established on June 4, 1962. Active cooperation developed between the two countries during the 1970s, when the Soviet Union became an important partner of the newly independent African state, according to the Russian statement.

Russia and Benin are currently continuing to expand bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors. The two countries maintain regular political dialogue and are considered to possess considerable potential for strengthening trade, economic and investment relations.

On the occasion of Benin’s Independence Day, Russia extended congratulations to the Beninese government, its counterparts and the people of Benin, while expressing wishes for peace, stability and prosperity.