opponents demand a return to the spirit of the 1990 constitution

These days, Benin is celebrating 30 years of its constitution. A text that was revised in 2019, which the opposition still disputes. This Monday, December 14, opponents met for the time being and demanded that we return to the spirit and the letter of the 1990 Constitution that had made Benin a model.

as reported from Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan

Benin adopted a new constitution on December 11, 1990, a few months after its national conference, the first in Africa. And it is this constitution that has given Benin its reputation as a democratic model. According to former deputy Jean Alexandre Hountondji, one of the organizers, the Benin Constitution has held up well: “The essential measures that have been put in place to preserve this constitution have lasted for 30 years.” Then the opponent continues: “But those who are there has done a review opportunistic.”

It’s a stone in President Patrice Talon’s garden. A year ago and for the first time, the constitution was revised on the recommendations of the political dialogue that was organized the day after the election in one color. The actors at the opposition conference condemned the lack of consensus on the audit project, while the presidential election is scheduled for April 2021.

Hence the following demands, summed up by Jean Alexandre Hountondji: “What we are asking is clear: it is to restore democratic gains and that before the presidential election we return to the spirit and the letter of the Constitution. Of 11 December 1990.”

The conference says it is backed by the African Court of Human Rights on December 4 made a decision in this direction. A decision qualified as heresy by the government. When asked, Alain Orounla, spokesman for the Minister, explains that the basis for the constitution has not been touched upon.

The concluding work on this opposition colloquium was launched by Amissétou Affo Djobo, chief organizer of his guests: “Comrades in the fight, what awaits us now is a fight.”

.