Protests Break Out In Benin Before Election
Faizan Hashmi Published April 06, 2021 | 08:15 PM
Protests broke out across Benin on Monday night and Tuesday as opposition leaders called for demonstrations days before President Patrice Talon faces an election
Cotonou, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) :Protests broke out across Benin on Monday night and Tuesday as opposition leaders called for demonstrations days before President Patrice Talon faces an election.
Tensions erupted in at least six towns around the West African country, local residents and witnesses said, ahead of Sunday's ballot in which Talon is strongly favoured to win a second term.
Benin has long been seen as a vibrant multi-party democracy but critics say under Talon the country has veered into authoritarianism and opponents have been sidelined or forced to flee into exile.
Opposition leaders say the April 11 election is already rigged in favour of Talon, a cotton magnate first elected in 2016.
Talon is running against two little-known rivals, Alassane Soumanou and Corentin Kohoue.
Several opposition leaders took to social media to call for demonstrations.
Former finance minister Komi Koutche, in exile like many of Benin's opposition figures, called on people to take to the streets to "mark the end of the Republican mandate handed over to Talon".
On Monday evening, groups of several dozen and at times even a few hundred demonstrators gathered in multiple towns in the centre and north of the country, known to be opposition strongholds, where Talon campaign vehicles were ransacked.
In the economic capital Cotonou, marks of the previous night's protests were still visible on Tuesday at the city's Red Star square where the tarmac was charred from burned tyres.
In Parakou, in the north, a stronghold of former President Boni Yayi, Talon's campaign headquarters were vandalised, along with the premises of a private radio station.
On Tuesday morning in the capital Porto Novo, dozens of supporters of Sebastien Ajavon, who came third in the last presidential election and is also living in exile, "invited the army to take power" during a demonstration.
Alain Orounla, a government spokesman, told local radio station that "the election will take place on April 11" and promised "nothing will happen" dismissing those calling for rebellion.
On Monday, a senior Benin judge fled the country, condemning political pressure to convict and detain an opposition candidate in early March.
At the time of his election in 2016, Talon said he wanted to serve a single term, before retracting and announcing his candidacy in mid-January.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
33 minutes ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
43 minutes ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
53 minutes ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
1 hour ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
3 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
3 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
3 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
3 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
4 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
4 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
4 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
4 hours ago