Alphonse Alley

Alphonse Alley, born on April ninth, nineteen thirty, was a prominent political figure and army officer in Dahomey, now known as Benin. His early education took him across West Africa, studying in Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal, before he enlisted in the French army in nineteen fifty. Alley served in various combat zones, including Indochina, Morocco, and Algeria, showcasing his military prowess during critical periods of conflict.

Following the coup in nineteen sixty-five, Alley was appointed Chief of Staff of the Army by President Christophe Soglo. His political journey took a significant turn in nineteen sixty-seven when Maurice Kouandété, a young army officer, became his chef de cabinet. However, the dynamics shifted dramatically when Kouandété orchestrated a coup on December seventeenth, leading to Alley assuming power just two days later.

During his brief administration, Alley oversaw the establishment of a new constitution and the first presidential election since nineteen sixty-four. Unfortunately, the election results were annulled due to a widespread boycott, which alienated Alley from the populace. His suggestion for the military to retreat to the barracks further diminished his popularity, ultimately reducing him to a figurehead for Kouandété.

On July seventeenth, nineteen sixty-eight, Alley was compelled to relinquish power to veteran politician Emile Zinsou. His later years were marred by military discharges, trials, and prison sentences. Following a coup led by Kouandété, Alley faced accusations of plotting against the new regime under Mathieu Kérékou, who seized power on October twenty-sixth, nineteen seventy-two. Kérékou appointed Alley as commissioner of the National Oil Wells, a position with limited authority, before sentencing him to twenty years in prison on February twenty-eighth, nineteen seventy-three. Alley passed away on March twenty-eighth, nineteen eighty-seven.