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Rosine Vieyra Soglo
Beninese politician (1934–2021) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rosine Honorine Vieyra Soglo (born Rose-Marie Honorine Vieyra; 7 March 1934 – 25 July 2021) was a Beninese politician. Soglo served as First Lady of Benin from 1991 to 1996 during the presidency of her husband, Nicéphore Soglo.[2][1][3] She is considered the first First Lady of the democratic era following Benin's transition to a multi-party democracy.[4]
Rosine Vieyra Soglo | |
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![]() Rosine Vieyra Soglo attends the dedication of the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery in Nantes in March 2012 | |
Member of the National Assembly of Benin | |
In office 1999[1] – February 2019[1] | |
Member of the Pan-African Parliament | |
In office 2004–2009 | |
First Lady of Benin | |
In office 4 April 1991 – 4 April 1996 | |
President | Nicéphore Soglo |
Preceded by | Marguerite Kérékou |
Succeeded by | Marguerite Kérékou |
Personal details | |
Born | Rose-Marie Honorine Vieyra (1934-03-07)7 March 1934 Ouidah, French Dahomey |
Died | 25 July 2021(2021-07-25) (aged 87) Cotonou, Benin |
Political party | Benin Rebirth Party |
Spouse | |
Children | Léhady Soglo Ganiou Soglo |
In 1992, Soglo founded the Benin Rebirth Party (RB), becoming the first Beninese woman to establish a new political party.[1] She served as a member of the National Assembly of Benin, representing the 16th Constituency of Cotonou, for six consecutive terms from 1999 until her retirement in February 2019.[1] She also served as a member of the Pan-African Parliament from 2004 to 2009.[5][6] Soglo was affectionately nicknamed "Maman" by Beninese colleagues and politicians.[7][8]