African People's Bloc Explained

Native Name:Bloc Populaire Africain
Foundation:1946
Country:Dahoney
Abbreviation:BPA
Split:Dahomeyan Progressive Union
Merged:Dahomeyan Democratic Union
Founder:Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin
Émile Poisson
Dissolved:July 1955

The African People's Bloc (French: Bloc Populaire Africain, BPA) was a political party in French Dahomey (now Benin).

History

The party was established in 1946 by Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin and Émile Poisson due to their dissatisfaction with the policies of the Dahomeyan Progressive Union (UPD).[1] In the 1946–47 General Council elections the party won 6 of the 30 seats, finishing second to the Dahomeyan Progressive Union;[2] Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin and Poisson were both elected. The party failed to win a seat in the French National Assembly in the 1951 elections, but won four seats in the 1952 Territorial Assembly elections.[3]

In 1955 the party merged with the UPD to form the Dahomeyan Democratic Union.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Mathurin C Houngnikpo & Samuel Decalo (2012) Historical Dictionary of Benin, Scarecrow Press, p81
  2. Joseph-Roger de Benoist (1982) Afrique Occidentale française de 1944 à 1960, p537
  3. Sternberger, D, Vogel, B, Nohlen, D & Landfried, K (1978) Die Wahl der Parlamente: Band II: Afrika, Ereste Halbband, p530
  4. http://www.lanouvelletribune.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3706:a-propos-de-lexcellente-chronique-du-professeur-amoussou-yeye-contenu-dans-lnt&Itemid=100061 A propos de l’excellente chronique du Professeur Amoussou YEYE, contenu dans lnt