Robert Coeffe (born 1912) was an Upper Voltan military official and politician. He served in the French Army for 25 years, and would later serve as Minister for Ex-Servicemen after the independence of his country.
Childhood and youth
editCoeffe was born 1912 in Ouagadougou.[1][2] After finishing high school in Ouagadougou, he obtained a Higher Primary Education Certificate (CEPS).[1] Coeffe joined the French Army on February 4, 1932.[1]
Military career
editCoeffe took part in the military campaigns of the French Army during World War II.[1] He was awarded the Croix de Guerre for service 1939-1940.[1] He later served in Madagascar and French North Africa.[1] Coeffe was promoted to lieutenant on December 25, 1949.[1] He would be awarded the title of Chevalier of the Order of the Star of Anjouan and the North Africa Security and Order Operations Commemorative Medal.[1]
He retired from the French Army on February 4, 1957, completing 25 years of service.[1] The following year he was named Chief of the Military Bureau of the Ouagadougou Circle.[1] In 1959 he was named Chief of the Cabinet at the Ministry for Ex-Servicemen.[1][2]
Coeffe joined the army of Upper Volta in 1962.[1][2] In 1962 he was named Secretary of State for the Voltan Armed Forces.[2] He was promoted to Captain on January 1, 1963.[1] He was awarded the title of Chevalier of the Voltan National Order.[1]
In government
editCoeffe was named Secretary of State for Defense and Ex-Servicemen in the interim government of Sangoulé Lamizana formed on January 3, 1966.[1][2][3][4] On April 6, 1967 Coeffe was named Minister for Ex-Servicemen.[2][5][6] In 1971 the French ambassador presented the title of Officer of the Legion of Honour to Coeffe.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Translations on Sub-Saharan Africa, Issues 564-585. Joint Publications Research Service. 1967. pp. 68-69
- ^ a b c d e f La Politique africaine en 1969: Cameroun, RCA, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Dahomey, Gabon, Haute-Volta, Mali, Mauritanie, Niger, Sénégal, Tchad, Togo. Ediafric, 1969. p. 167
- ^ Afrika heute. Deutsche Afrika-Gesellschaft., 1967. p. 57
- ^ West Africa, Issues 2535-2560. West Africa Publishing Company Limited, 1966. p. 70
- ^ Summary of World Broadcasts: Non-Arab Africa, Issues 2418-2502. British Broadcasting Corporation. Monitoring Service 1967. p. 4
- ^ The U.S. Department of State Fact Book of the Countries of the World. Crown, 1970. p. 700
- ^ Revue de la communauté France-Eurafrique, Issues 222-251. 1971. p. 29