Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. U.S. Congratulates Benin on 50 Years of Independence Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Benin's vibrant democracy and stability make it an important U.S. ally in West Africa James Butty | Washington, D.C. 02 August 2010 U. S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses a news conference at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan, 19 July 2010 Photo: AP U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has congratulated the people of Benin for the countryās 50^th independence anniversary observed Sunday. Secretary Clinton said the United States will continue working with Benin to reduce poverty and promote broad economic growth. AFP Photo Benin President Boni Yayi Meanwhile, 10 African heads of state, along with other government leaders and representatives, were said to have attended Sundayās official 50^th independence anniversary ceremonies in Cotonou. Sadikou Alao, president of GERDDES-Africa, a research group for the democratic, economic and social development of Africa said the Benin government needs to do more to eradicate poverty and promote good governance. āAs you know, the country is very poor. The majority of people are poor even if there is some sign of development in Cotonou which is the economic capital, and in Port Novo. The rest of the country is still very poor. And, as far as poverty is concerned, and good governance, I donāt think we have made a lot of progress,ā he said. In her statement, Secretary Clinton said Beninās vibrant democracy and stability make the country an important U.S. ally in West Africa. GERDDES-Africa President Alao said Beninās democracy, seen through the eyes of Westerners, should suggest progress. But, he said it is another matter when seen through the eyes of an African. Benin election-President Yayi and his wife āAs far as democracy is concerned, I think we have made a lot of progress when one is seeing it with the Western eyes. But, when we look at it as Africans, I donāt think we have made a lot of progress because, when you refer to democracy, democracy means something profitable for the majority of the people of a country. But, our democratic system does not enable us to reach a level of development which can be profitable for the majority of our people. Our democracy is a democracy for only 10 percent of our people,ā Alao said. He said the majority of Beninās population, about 90 percent, reside in rural areas and do not enjoy the same rights as those living in urban areas. āThey are not enjoying the same facilities, as far as development is concerned. If democracy does not lead to better governance, does not relieve the poverty of the people, it means that, really, we are not making progress. We need to make a lot of change before our democracy will look like our people. This is what we should plan for (in) the coming 50 years,ā he said. In her statement, Secretary Clinton praised Beninās āpositive roleā in international mediation and peacekeeping. Alao said West Africa has come a long way given the regionās history of military coups. āDue to our region, where we were having a lot of coup dāĆ©tats, I can say that we are making of lot of progress by which we have a positive change of government, letās say acceptable elections, donāt call it free and fair because itās only a minority who are leading these types of elections. Thatās the reason why, in any of our places after a good election, you can have a coup dāĆ©tat and nobody will just get up and defend the government because everybody knows that it is a government always of a majority of this 10 percent,ā Alao said. .