23 moments
Birth in Kouarfa
· Kouarfa, Atakora Department, French Dahomey
Mathieu Kérékou was born in Kouarfa, in what was then French Dahomey. Coordinates represent the Kouarfa locality.
Major-training programme
· Montpellier, France
Kérékou attended a training programme for majors in Montpellier during his military career. The source supports the year, but not a more precise date.
Official visit to Romania
· Romania
Wikimedia Commons · The copyright holder of this file allows anyone to use it for any purpose, provided that the copyright holder is properly attributed. · file As president of the People’s Republic of Benin, Kérékou made an official friendship visit to socialist Romania. The source documents a 21–24 July visit but does not identify one single location for the entire visit; coordinates are a representative point for Romania.
Meeting with UN Security Council mission
· Cotonou, Benin
Kérékou received the United Nations Security Council Special Mission after its arrival in Cotonou to investigate the January 1977 mercenary attack. Coordinates represent central Cotonou; the meeting venue is not specified.
State visit to Libya
· Tripoli International Airport, Tripoli, Libya
Kérékou arrived in Tripoli for a state visit intended to strengthen political and cooperative ties between Benin and Libya.
Meeting François Mitterrand
· Paris, France
During an official working visit to France, Kérékou met French president François Mitterrand in Paris. Coordinates represent Paris; the photograph caption does not identify a more specific venue.
Official visit to Moscow
· Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Kérékou arrived in Moscow during an official goodwill visit to the Soviet Union and held talks at the Kremlin. The archival-film catalogue supplies only the year.
Visit to Baku
· Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union
During his Soviet goodwill visit, Kérékou visited Baku and met Azerbaijani SSR leader Kamran Bagirov. The archival-film catalogue supplies only the year.
Visit to Leningrad
· Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
During his Soviet goodwill visit, Kérékou visited Leningrad, meeting local party leader Yuri Solovyov and visiting major civic sites. The archival-film catalogue supplies only the year.
Opening the National Conference
· Hotel PLM-Aledjo, Cotonou, Benin
Kérékou opened Benin’s National Conference, a pivotal gathering that helped initiate the country’s democratic transition.
Retaking presidential oath
· Porto-Novo, Benin
After returning to the presidency, Kérékou retook his constitutional oath of office in Porto-Novo. Coordinates represent Porto-Novo; the precise oath venue is not specified.
Baltimore slavery-trade apology
· Church of the Great Commission, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Kérékou visited Baltimore and formally apologized to African Americans for Benin’s historical role in the Atlantic slave trade. Coordinates represent central Baltimore because the source does not provide the church address.
National Prayer Breakfast
· Hilton Washington and Towers Hotel, Washington, D.C., United States
Kérékou attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., alongside other international leaders.
TRIDEX defence exhibition visit
· Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
During a working visit to the United Arab Emirates, Kérékou visited the TRIDEX 2000 defence-equipment exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Coordinates represent central Abu Dhabi; the exhibition venue is not specified.
Meeting West African leaders in Dakar
· Presidential Palace, Dakar, Senegal
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Kérékou joined a meeting of West African democratic leaders at Senegal’s Presidential Palace during George W. Bush’s Africa trip.
Border-reopening summit
· Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria
Kérékou met Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo in Badagry, where they agreed to reopen the Nigeria–Benin border.
Receiving King Mohammed VI
· Cadjehoun Airport, Cotonou, Benin
Kérékou received King Mohammed VI of Morocco at Cotonou’s international airport during the king’s friendship and working visit to Benin. The source gives a 15–16 June 2004 visit but does not date the airport reception more precisely.
Independence Day address
· Cotonou, Benin
Kérékou delivered an Independence Day address to the nation from Cotonou. Coordinates represent central Cotonou; the address venue is not specified.
Receiving Sudanese foreign minister
· Cotonou, Benin
Kérékou received Sudanese foreign minister Mustapha Osman Ismail in Cotonou, where the minister delivered a message from President Omar al-Bashir. The report establishes October 2004 and a Thursday evening meeting, but does not state the calendar date in the quoted text.
Meeting Jacques Chirac
· Élysée Palace, Paris, France
During an official visit to France, Kérékou met President Jacques Chirac for talks and lunch at the Élysée Palace.
Meeting President Lula
· Cotonou, Benin
Wikimedia Commons · Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Brazil · file Kérékou met Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Cotonou during Lula’s official visit to Benin. Coordinates represent central Cotonou; the caption does not identify the specific meeting venue.
Medical treatment in Paris
· Paris, France
After a health crisis, Kérékou was taken to Paris for treatment. The source supports only the year and does not identify a treatment facility.
Death at home
· Cotonou, Benin
Kérékou died at his home in Cotonou after years of declining health following his 2014 medical crisis. Coordinates represent central Cotonou because the home address is not published.