Former Beninois President Mathieu Kerekou dies at age 82

Benin's former President Mathieu Kerekou, the man hailed as helping to usher in multi-party democracy in Africa, has died at the age of 82.  

Mr. Kerekou had two spells as president for nearly 30 years, but he accepted the idea of multi-party democracy and stepped down after defeat in the 1991 election.

His willingness to relinquish power was seen as an example for the continent.

Current President Thomas Yayi Boni described the former president as a great man and declared a week of official mourning. 

BBC