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Born in 1933, Mathieu Kérékou was a prominent figure in Beninese politics, serving as the country's president for a combined 29 years, from 1972 to 1991 and again from 1996 to 2006. A former military ruler, Kérékou later embraced democracy and oversaw a peaceful transition of power. He passed away in 2015, leaving a lasting impact on Benin's political landscape.