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The second highest Order of Centrafrican Republic is the Order of Recognition ( Ordre de la Reconnaissance ). It was created on 21 May 1962 and it is only a 2 Classes Order ( Knight & Officer ). Here you can see a Knight of the Recognition. Emmanuel

Here you can see an award document for Officer of the Order of Merit of Centrafrique. Emmanuel

Here you can see the Officer of the Order of Merit of Centrafrique

And its reverse

Here a close-up on the Commander badge.

Here a close-up on the breast star of Order of Merit

Hello Gentlemen,here I will catalogue the very large numbers of Orders & Medals issued by the Centrafrican Republic. This country who was ruled by Jean Bedel Bokassa from 1965 till 1979 was unique in modern history,as in december 1976 Jean Bedel Bokassa who was an admirator of Napoleon 1st declared his country as Centrafrican Empire and self stylised himself as Emperor Bokassa 1st. An amazing coronation ceremony follows one year later on 4 december 1977 (for memory Napoleon 1st was crowned in Paris on 4 december 1804). In september 1979 Bokassa 1st was overthrone by a Coup d'Etat backed against him by France. Actually here it is not the place to discuss politic,but I thought a short introduction was necessary. As a former french officer of the french army (he served in Indochina), Jean Bedel Bokassa was not only an admirator of Napoleon,but also he liked very very much Orders & Medals,and he created a very large system mostly copied on the french system of Orders & Medals from the French 3rd & 4th Republic. A general introduction to the country can be read here : http://en.wikipedia....frican_Republic And here the official web site of the country : http://www.centrafricaine.info/en.html The highest ranking Order from Centrafrique has ever been the Order of Merit. It was a 4 classes Order at origin, created on 20 June 1959. The rank of Grand Officer was only added on 13 october 1961,then the Order of Merit had 5 Classes. The Président of the Republic is Grand Master of the Order of Merit,and as so he is the onliest who wear the Collar of the Grand Master. For army officer you needed to have been Officer of the Order of Reconnaissance (Order of Recognition) for 6 years,to be awarded Knight of the Order of Merit.Then you had to wait again 6 years for the next promotion. Here you can see below the insignia of Grand Officer of the Order of Merit. On all the following pictures you will see that there is almost always an hallmark that is visble,it is the hallmark of manufacturer Arthus Bertrand from Paris. None of the award of Centrafrican Republic are in precious metal,with exception of the Order of Operation Bokassa which was in silver-gilt. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen,keeping in mind that it is ever hard to get actual african awards document I can show that one to you. Order of Merit of Senegal Emmanuel

Here is the Medal of Honour of the Police of the Republic of Dahomey. This medal was created in november 1962 and can be awarded for act of exceptionnal bravery ,but also for 20 years of service without any blame. Emmanuel

Here a Knight of Social Merit of Dahomey. According to the ribbon charts I saw in the manufacturer shop Arthus Bertrand the Republic of Benin continue to award both Order of Agricultural Merit & Order of Social Merit,but with different ribbon. If anyone has a picture of the new insignia,he's most welcome to post here. Emmanuel

Here is the other specific merit Order , the Order of Social Merit (here you can see the Officer's insignia). It is also a 3 classes Order,created on 31 December 1962. Emmanuel

As specific merit Order,Dahomey has 2 : The Order of Agricultural Merit & the Order of Social Merit. Here is the Order of Agricultural Merit.It is a 3 classes Order created on 31 December 1962. I apologise for only having a miniature to show,but it is the onliest I have been able to found. If anyone has a full size for sale,even without ribbon I would be happy to buy it. Emmanuel

The second highest ranking award of Republic of Dahomey was " Order of Merit of Benin " This Order was created on 24 october 1961 and is a 3 classes Order. Several specimen have been seen with a different ribbon : green/burgundy red/green I've seen ounce a miniature of this Order with red enamel instead of green.It is possible that the change of colour has followed the marxist Coup d'Etat of 1972.No evidence has been found,but if you have a good picture you're most welcome to post it here.The reverse is blank. Anyway the Order of Merit is seldom seen. Emmanuel

Here you can see a picture of General Siaka Sangare of the Army of Republic of Mali.He's wearing a Knight insignia of National Order of Benin. Just for ID,his medal bar is left to right : Mali Medal of Military Merit - Mali Commemorative Campaign Medal - Mali Commemorative Campaign Medal - France Legion of Honour Knight - Benin National Order Knight On the neck he's wearing National Order of Mali (for a good picture of that award,see the topic started by Megan on Mali). Emmanuel

Here you can see Dr Boni Yayi,the Président of the Benin on his official portait and him also on a military parade. Emmanuel

And a close up on the Neck Badge of the Commander.

Here a close up on the breast star.

In 1991after the fall of the communism in Europe the marxist regime of Popular Republic of Benin was suddently without any backing from former Soviet Union. A National Conference was organised in 1990-91 and the country again changed name for Republic of Benin. Again the National Order slightly changed.The motto "Fraternité Justice Travail" is now on the obverse side of the badge as the name of the country "Republic of Benin". During the summer of 2010 there was a special exhibition in Paris in the Legion of Honour Museum,at the occasion of the 50th birthday of Independence of former african colonies of France.On that exhibition were displayed Grand Cross set of highest Order of each of these countries including a Grand Cross of the National Order of the Republic of Benin. Karim da Silva is the Grand Chancellier of the National Order of Benin (article in french). http://www.lanouvell...tique&Itemid=65 Emmanuel

And the reverse of the Commander Neck Badge.

Here the commander neck badge of the National Order of the Popular Republic of Benin. Emmanuel

In 1972 Mathieu Kérékou made a Coup d'Etat and Dahmey changes name for Popular Republic of Benin. The National Order of Dahomey became then National Order of Popular Republic of Benin.The structure remained the same and member of the former National Order of Dahomey got the right to keep and wear the old insignia,but may get the new insignia if requested. There is a reference Law N°86-010 from 26 February 1986,with modification by Law N°87-017 of 21 September 1987. Emmanuel

Here is the award docuent of the Grand Officer breast star illustrated above.Provenance from a renewed auction house in London april 2006. http://en.wikipedia....uve_de_Murville in english http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Couve_de_Murville in french Emmanuel

Here you can see an Officer badge of the National Order of Dahomey. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen,here I will introduce the country Dahomey which after the coup d'etat of 1972 became the Popular Republic of Benin,which change again of name in 1991 for Republic of Benin. The highest Order of this country "The National Order" reflects in its modification,the different type of regime of this country. The National Order of Dahomey was instituted by Law N°60-26 of 21 July 1960 (modificated by Law N°62-14 of 25 February 1962 & by Law 65-29 of 14 August 1965). It is a 5 classes Order + Grand Master Collar. On obverse is the seal of the state and on reverse of badge is the country's motto "Fraternité Justice Travail" & "Republique du Dahomey 1960" Here you can see the breast star of Grand Officer awarded to Maurice Couve de Murville in 1962 (Minister of Foreign Affair of France from 1958 till 1968 and Prime Minister from 1968 till 1969) Emmanuel

It is not easy to get award document for the african Orders & Medals,but sometimes you may get lucky. Here a document for Grand Officer of the National Order of Niger. Emmanuel