Vodoun Festival in Benin: the confidences of Nicéphore Soglo

The former President of the Republic of Benign, Nicephore Dieudonne Soglo, actor in the establishment of the celebration of the national day of traditional religion celebrated this Tuesday, January 10, 2023, wished a happy holiday to the Voodoo community of Benin and around the world. For the former Beninese Head of State, the objective of the establishment of this day is to take our endogenous religions out of their status as alternative religions which we resort to in case of great difficulty. He did not fail to have a pious thought for his late collaborators in the transitional government such as Marius Franscico, Aurelien Houessou, Mama Adamou Ndiaye.

Communicated

On this day of January 10, 2023, I would like to wish the entire community of traditional religions my best wishes for happiness and prosperity. This day is of great importance for our fight for African Renaissance. The work of Cheick Anta Diop has sufficiently proved that Africa is home to the oldest civilization on the planet. It is no secret that our endogenous cults, despite the apparent contempt to which they are subjected by the revealed religions that have invaded our continent for centuries, continue to be an essential spiritual refuge for Africans. .

The objective of the establishment of this day is to take our endogenous religions out of their status as alternative religions which we resort to in case of great difficulty. They are an integral part of our culture, our way of thinking, our identity. It has withstood all the tragedies that Africa south of the Sahara has known from the slave trade to neocolonialism, including colonialism, wars, famines and foreign domination in all its forms. We remain hopeful that this day can one day be extended internationally like other religious celebrations.

On this memorable day, I cannot forget my initial companions in this adventure of the Renaissance of our continent, in this case most of my government collaborators after the National Conference of February 1990, particularly within the Transitional Government and then in the First Government. of the era of Democratic renewal. My thoughts indeed go to Marius Franscico, Aurelien Houessou, Mama Adamou Ndiaye and all the others whose commitment to this renewal has never been lacking. How could I ignore my life partner, President Rosine VIEYRA SOGLO who joined our ancestors on July 25, 2021. This celebration is also for her.

To all the Beninese and all the Beninese, I wish a happy feast of traditional religions. Let us be at peace in this very sensitive time for the life of our country.
Long live our traditional cults
Tributes to our ancestors
Long live Benin.
Thank you.
Nicephore Dieudonne SOGLO
Former President of the Republic
Former Mayor of the city of Cotonou
Vice-President of the Forum of Former Heads of State and Government of Africa,
Created in 2006 in Maputo under the high patronage of Nelson MANDELA

Vodoun Festival in Benin: the confidences of Nicéphore Soglo