Souphanouvong

Souphanouvong (1902-1995), Lao prince and nationalist leader who became the first president of the Lao republic. Born into the royal family, he was educated as an engineer in France. Returning home in the late 1930s, he became active in the nationalist movement and after World War II fought against the French; he was one of the founders of the Pathet Lao, the Communist nationalist movement, in 1950. A minister (1957-58) in the cabinet headed by his half brother, Souvanna Phouma, he was arrested after the fall of the government but escaped and thereafter led the Pathet Lao in guerrilla warfare. He briefly rejoined his brother in a coalition government in 1962 but then continued his armed struggle for another decade. A cease-fire in 1973 paved the way for a new coalition in which the Pathet Lao was the dominating partner. When the monarchy was abolished in 1975, Souphanouvong became president. Citing health reasons, he resigned the presidency in October 1986.