(3 minutes read)
· Benin’s President Patrice Talon refused to give amnesty to opponents arrested following violence during the electoral campaign
· He was re-elected earlier this month, in an election, which critics said was biased in his favor after a crackdown on opposition leaders left most of them exiled or disqualified from running
· Talon won 86.3 percent in the April 11, when the country held the election
Benin’s President Patrice Talon refused to give amnesty to opponents arrested following violence during the electoral campaign. He was re-elected earlier this month, in an election, which critics said was biased in his favor after a crackdown on opposition leaders left mostof them exiled or disqualified from running. Talon won 86.3 percent on April 11, when the country held the election.
www.trendanafrica.com has reported about several opposition representatives, including two candidates who were barred, were detained before or just after the vote in the West African state. The elected president said that he was not considering turning a blind eye to what happened, or pardoning or giving any amnesty. That way he madehis point clear that he was not inclined for any appeasement on pardon. Immediately after the election, opposition leader Reckya Madougou was arrested and detained. His lawyer’s accuse the action was motivated and the case fabricated. Soon after that , another opponent, Joel Aivo, was arrested and accused of undermining the security of the state.
Government and ruling party sources say the opposition leaders planned to burn down the country. For that they had recruited people and motivated young people to carry out the subversive works. The opposition parties deny these charges. In the meantime, Benin, which was hailed for its vibrant multi-party democracy, critics say has come under authoritarian rule under Talon, who orchestrated a campaign against his opponents. A number of people fled the country or were disqualified for contesting the elections.
