He was in his 82nd year. Beninese and African intellectuals salute his memory. “He is one of the most influential philosophers of the last fifty years,” writes Senegalese academic Souleymane Bachir Diagne, who wrote the preface for the late philosopher’s book, “The Lessons of African Philosophy”. Engaged and firm in his opinions, he made a statement at the national conference of February 1990, addressing Marxist President Mathieu Kérékou in the evening to say this: “For there to be democracy, it is not enough for rights to be provided in written texts, the beneficiaries must also have the courage to take them without waiting for them to be granted to them.”

Mathieu Kérékou did not accept the lesson and responded to the philosopher: “My God, forgive them, they are sinners, they do not know what they are saying. The state’s problems are not the problems of philosophers, we ask Professor Hountondji to be patient.” The philosopher was nevertheless made minister twice after the national conference. Until his death, he maintained his freedom of thought and speech.

The Beninese are proud of this influential and respected voice and expect the Republic to pay him a deserved tribute.