Our African Hero for today was a king at a moment when Africa was under siege, and he chose resistance over surrender. In Benin and across the continent, the name Béhanzin still stands as a powerful symbol of dignity and defiance.
As European powers pushed to divide and dominate African kingdoms, Béhanzin of Dahomey refused to give up his land, his people, or his sovereignty.
On our African Hero segment, Augustine Kollie revisits the story of Kondo Gbêhanzin, the last independent king of Dahomey whose resistance, exile, and enduring legacy continue to shape how Africa remembers its past.
This is the story of a ruler history tried to silence, but could not erase.