In Benin, Patrice Talon has been in place for five years and the opposition does not want him to stay another second. The amendment to the constitution and the election calendar gives it an extension of one and a half months. Its political opponents from the diaspora demand that they take to the streets. A sensitive day that worries Cotonou, especially when incidents were reported during the night.
with our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan
Shortly after zero hours last night, demonstrations were reported in several cities, such as the lighting of tires on Place de l’Etoile Rouge in Cotonou, a file was blocked for a while in Tchaourou, the former president’s hometown of Boni Yayi in Parakou, about 450 km north of Cotonou. individuals walked the streets on motorcycles and chanted “Talon we must go”.
Police intervened to restore order and firefighters to extinguish the tires. Remember that the amendment to the constitution initiated by Patrice Talon in November 2019 changed the traditional dates of the election calendar for the presidential election and the inauguration of the elected president. Fourth week of May. An extension of almost a month and a half compared to the calendar in the old constitution.
Call to demonstrate on Tuesday
A statement by political refugees published this weekend in Paris recalled this Patrice Talonswore in on April 6, 2016. They concluded that since this Tuesday morning, April 6 at midnight, the latter is no longer president of Benin and will once again become “a normal citizen.” One of these opposition figures in exile, Komi Koutche, former finance minister, is calling for demonstrations in the four corners of Benin.
To the government spokesman, it looks like a call for revolt and the minister warns that the government will take responsibility. In recent days, an army document has been leaked on social networks informing that the higher military hierarchy has placed the troops on the highest warning number 3. It is classic during an election period to play down an officer.
This controversy is a misinterpretation, according to Alain Orounla, spokesman for the minister. “The date of 5 April no longer has any meaning or legal basis. The electoral calendar was constitutionalized, as was its assumption of office according to the basic law of Benin today; This constitution is written in easy French ”.
“He who grants himself a few days can grant himself deukans and even an extra mandate without election,” worries constitutionalist Joël Aivo, another failed opposition candidate.
► Also read : Patrice Talon in active campaign for his re-election in Benin
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