a baobab tree, reflecting the mostly sad emotions that followed his departing. According to them, Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin "was among the three great thinkers who took turns to lead Dahomey (now Benin) from May 1970 to October 1972". A long prison sentence did not affect his inspiratory qualities. Les Echos du Jour stated that "the dental surgeon who became president fought to the end against life and its mishaps, then against death ... He resisted with all his might not to escape death, but merely to show that nothing was over until it was over." In an obituary, Jeune Afrique described the man as "humor[ous], loved good cheer, knew how to enjoy the good side of life, but his blows of anger were Homeric". Notes References Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . 1917 births 2002 deaths People of French West Africa French military personnel Vice presidents of Benin Presidents of the National Assembly (Benin) Leaders ousted by a coup Beninese prisoners and detainees Prisoners and detainees of Benin People from Abomey National Rally for Democracy (Benin) politicians Rassemblement Démocratique Africain politicians