Ahmed Sékou Touré

President of Guinea from 1958 to 1984 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Ahmed Sékou Touré (var. Sheku Turay or Ture; N'Ko: ߛߋߞߎ߬ ߕߎ߬ߙߋ; January 9, 1922 – March 26, 1984) was a Guinean political leader and African statesman who became the first president of Guinea, serving from 1958 until his death in 1984. Touré was among the primary Guinean nationalists involved in gaining independence of the country from France.

Quick facts: Ahmed Sékou Touré, 1st President of Guinea, P...
Ahmed Sékou Touré
Ahmed_S%C3%A9kou_Tour%C3%A9_1962.jpg
Touré in 1962
1st President of Guinea
In office
October 2, 1958  March 26, 1984
Prime MinisterLouis Lansana Beavogui
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byLouis Lansana Beavogui
Personal details
Born(1922-01-09)January 9, 1922
Faranah, French Guinea
DiedMarch 26, 1984(1984-03-26) (aged 62)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic Party
Spouse(s)Marie N'Daw (1947–1952)
Andrée Touré (1953–1984)
ChildrenAminata Touré, Mohamed Touré
Parents
  • Alfa Toure (father)
  • Aminata Fadiga (mother)
Military service
AllegianceFlag_of_Guinea.svg Guinea
Close

A devout Muslim from the Mandinka ethnic group, Sékou Touré was the great grandson of the powerful Mandinka Muslim cleric Samori Ture who established an independent Islamic rule in part of West Africa. In 1960, he declared his Democratic Party of Guinea (Parti démocratique de Guinée, PDG) the only legal party in the state, and ruled from then on as a virtual dictator. He was re-elected unopposed to four seven-year terms in the absence of any legal opposition. Under his rule many people were killed, including at the notorious Camp Boiro.