Ahmed Sékou Touré

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Ahmed Sékou Touré
Sékou Touré during an official visit to the United States in 1982
1st President of Guinea
In office
October 2, 1958 – March 26, 1984
Prime MinisterLouis Lansana Beavogui
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byLouis Lansana Beavogui
1st Prime Minister of Guinea
In office
2 October 1956 – 26 April 1972
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.
NationalityGuinean
Political partyDemocratic Party
Spouse(s)Marie N'Daw (1947-1952)
Andrée Touré (1953-1984)
Military service
Allegiance Guinea

Ahmed Sékou Touré (var. Sheku Turay or Ture; 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.

In 1960, he declared his Democratic Party of Guinea (Parti démocratique de Guinée, PDG) the only legal party in the state. He ruled from then on as a dictator. He was re-elected unopposed to four seven-year terms since there was no legal opposition. Under his rule many people were killed.

In October 2021, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the October 1971 massacre, relatives of 70 Guineans executed under the Sékou Touré regime asked President Mamady Doumbouya for rehabilitation and a dignified burial for the victims.

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