Mathieu Kérékou 1933 – 2015

Biography

Mathieu Kérékou was born on September 2, 1933, in Kouarfa, beginning a life that would span more than eight decades. Throughout his years, he dedicated himself to public service as a politician, playing a role in the civic life of his nation during a significant period of its history. His journey reflected the complexities and transformations of his time and place.

On October 14, 2015, Kérékou passed away in Cotonou, leaving behind a legacy rooted in his commitment to political service. His life, which began in the rural community of Kouarfa, concluded in the nation’s largest city, marking the arc of a man who engaged with both his homeland’s origins and its development. He was laid to rest in Natitingou, in the Atakora Department of Benin, returning to the region of his birth in a final resting place that honored his roots and his connection to the land he served.