How to Pronounce Mathieu Kérékou

Meaning and Context

Mathieu Kérékou was a transformative and controversial figure in West African politics, serving as the President of Benin for two distinct periods: first as a military ruler from 1972 to 1991, and later as a democratically elected president from 1996 to 2006. Rising to power through a military coup, Kérékou initially established the People's Republic of Benin, a Marxist-Leninist one-party state aligned with the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War. In a remarkable political evolution, he presided over the National Conference of the Living Forces of the Nation in 1990, which led to Benin's peaceful transition to a multi-party democracy, a process that became a model for African democratization. After losing the 1991 election, his return to power via the ballot box cemented his legacy as a key architect of modern Beninese political history. His tenure was marked by efforts at economic reform, navigating structural adjustment programs, and maintaining stability in a region often plagued by coups and civil strife.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling of the name is Mathieu Kérékou. Common variations and errors arise primarily from the diacritical marks and the order of letters. The most frequent misspelling omits the acute accent on the first 'e', resulting in "Kerekou". Occasionally, the diaeresis on the second 'e' is also omitted or misplaced, leading to forms like "Kerékou" or "Kérékou". In some non-French contexts, the name might be anglicized without any accents as "Mathieu Kerekou". Another typographical error involves the 'i' and 'e' in "Mathieu," sometimes seen as "Matthieu" (with a double 't') or "Mathiew". It is also important to note the correct order of the vowels in the surname: 'é', 'r', 'é', 'k', 'o', 'u'—errors like "Kérékuo" or "Kérèkou" are less common but do occur.

Example Sentences

Following the landmark National Conference, Mathieu Kérékou made the historic decision to step down after losing the 1991 presidential election, an act hailed as a victory for democratic norms.

Historians often cite Kérékou's ideological shift from hardline Marxism to pragmatic liberalism as a fascinating study in political adaptation.

During his later terms, President Kérékou faced significant challenges in implementing the economic reforms demanded by international financial institutions.

In a symbolic gesture of national reconciliation, Kérékou publicly apologized for the human rights abuses that occurred under his early military rule.

His refusal to seek a constitutional amendment to run for a third term in 2006 solidified his commitment to the democratic principles he had helped establish.

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