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People's Republic of Benin (1975 - 1990)

Historical flag

Last modified: 2022-10-22 by bruce berry
Keywords: benin |
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image by Željko Heimer, 04 March 2001

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People's Republic of Benin (1975 - 1990)

The People's Republic of Benin was established on 30 November 1975, after the 1972 coup d'état in the Republic of Dahomey (now Republic of Benin). It effectively lasted until 01 March 1990, with the adoption of a new constitution  and the abolition of Marxism-Leninism as the official ideology in the nation in 1989.

In order to symbolize the revolutionary change, the regime renamed the country to Benin and a new flag was adopted three years later. This featured a green field charged with a red five pointed star in the canton.  However, the regime's flag was never adopted by law, making it only the de facto flag of Benin. The flag remained in use until 1990, when economic problems and the withdrawal of support from the Soviet Union culminated in the collapse of the People's Republic of Benin. The socialist regime was replaced and the original flag from 1959 was reinstated on 01 August 1990.

It is said that star represents "peoples unity, unity of all revolutionary forces in overwhelming of inner and outer enemy and making a new, revolutionary and socialist land of Benin".

The flag reversed the colours of the flag of the People's Revolutionary Party of Benin, which had a green star and red background.
Stuart Notholt, 01 March 2001

The national flag 1975-1990 was, as far as I am aware, never officially adopted (meaning there was no law regarding it) and therefore the construction details (size and position of the star) were never determined either.
Željko Heimer, 04 March 2001


Coat of Arms

image sent by Jarig Bakker, 22 Sept 2000

On 01 December 1975 the name, arms, and flag of the country were changed.   The new Arms adopted at the time comprised a green shield with red star within a wreath of yellow, ripe maize-cobs (symbol of agriculture) a cog-wheel (industry). On the red ribbon, that has been bound around a stack of maize-cobs, are the initials of the name of the country RPB in green.  These Arms were replaced in 1990 when the previous Arms were restored.
Jarig Bakker, 22 Sept 2000