Less than 72 hours before Benin marks its 55th independence anniversary, the festive mood is palpable in Cotonou, the country's commercial capital that will host the official celebrations.

In most Cotonou suburbs, authorities have launched massive clean-up operations of the major streets and public places, renovated national monuments and set up mobile toilets to give the population a good festival.

Besides, national flags are seen flying along the major roads and at all public places in the country. The government has equally displayed billboards bearing the photo of President Boni Yayi with the message "Happy Independence Day to All."

At the same time, at the Army Boulevard, where a military parade will be held on Saturday, disciplined forces are seen training for the independence day celebration that will be presided over by Yayi and attended by his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari, the special invited guest.

Having obtained independence from France on Aug. 1, 1960, Benin, a West African country that was initially called Dahomey, celebrates two periods of independence.

The first period, ranging from 1960 to 1990, was characterised by political instability dominated by coups and military regimes.

The second period that began in 1990 with the restoration of democracy, has been characterised by political stability that has seen three democratic hand over of power from Presidents Nicephore Soglo (1991-1996) to Mathieu Kerekou (1996-2006) and to Boni Yayi (2006-2016). Endit

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