FARD-Alafia was founded in 1994 and supported the candidacy of Mathieu Kérékou in the 1996 presidential election.[1] Kérékou stood as party's candidate in the presidential election of March 4 and 18 March 2001, winning 45.4% of the popular vote in the first round and 84.1% in the second round. The second round was boycotted by the main contenders.