Christophe Soglo

Christophe Soglo (28 June 1909 – 7 October 1983) was a Beninese military officer and political leader and one of the most important figures in Benin's period of political instability and frequent, though usually bloodless, coups during the 1960s.
Biography.
Soglo served in the French army in Indochina. He had a French wife. After Benin achieved independence in 1960, Soglo was given the rank of colonel in the army and became the chief of staff under President Hubert Maga. On October 28, 1963, Soglo took control of the country to prevent a civil war. Soglo had previously declared loyalty to Maga's government. He established a provisional government with himself as chairman after dissolving the national assembly. After reorganizing the government, he gave up power in January 1964 and allowed former premier Sourou-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.