Region:
Western Africa
Capital:
Poto-Novo / Cotonou
Population:
7 250 033 (July
2004 est.)
Surface
area:
112 622 square
km
Currency:
CFA franc
GDP
per capita:
$1 100 (2003
est.)
Background:
This
territory became
a French Colony
in 1872 and achieved
independence
on 1 August 1960,
as the Republic
of Benin. A succession
of military governments
ended in 1972
with the rise
to power of Mathieu
KEREKOU and the
establishment
of a government
based on Marxist-Leninist
principles.
A
move to representative
government began
in 1989. Two
years later,
free elections
ushered in former
Prime Minister
Nicephore SOGLO
as president,
marking the first
successful transfer
of power in Africa
from a dictatorship
to a democracy.
KEREKOU was returned
to power by elections
held in 1996
and 2001, though
some irregularities
were alleged.
Today one of
the countries’
main challenges
is excess mortality
due to AIDS.
Economy
– overview:
The
economy of Benin
remains underdeveloped
and dependent
on subsistence
agriculture,
cotton production,
and regional
trade. Growth
in real output
has averaged
a stable 5% in
the past six
years, but rapid
population rise
has offset much
of this increase.
Inflation has
subsided over
the past several
years. In order
to raise growth
still further,
Benin plans to
attract more
foreign investment,
place more emphasis
on tourism, facilitate
the development
of new food processing
systems and agricultural
products, and
encourage new
information and
communication
technology. The
2001 privatization
policy should
continue in telecommunications,
water, electricity,
and agriculture
in spite of initial
government reluctance.
The Paris Club
and bilateral
creditors have
eased the external
debt situation,
while pressing
for speeded-up
structural reforms.
United
Nations Membership
date:
20 September
1960
New
York Mission:
Permanent Mission
of the Republic
of Benin to the
United Nations,
125 East 38th
Street, New York,
NY 10016.
Telephone: 212-684-1339
Fax: 212-684-2058
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