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Mathieu
Kerekou returned to office in 1996 (Photo: AFP)
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Benin's former President
Mathieu Kerekou, the man hailed as helping to usher in multi-party democracy in
Africa, has died at the age of 82. Mr Kerekou had two spells as president totalling
nearly 30 years, first coming to power as the head of a Marxist regime in 1972.
But
he accepted the idea of multi-party democracy and stepped down after defeat in
the 1991 election.
His
willingness to step down was hailed as an example for the continent.
