A president refuses defense agreements with France out of pride

Maurice Yaméogo is a political leader who entered into open conflict with Félix Houphouët-Boigny for reasons of leadership within the Conseil de l'Entente. On February 12, 1961, he created a surprise by refusing to sign the defense agreements that his Ivorian counterpart was negotiating with France on behalf of the organization. This clear refusal led to the signing of a simple technical military assistance agreement on April 24, 1961, and to the prior expulsion of the French High Commissioner Paul Masson.