Benin’s democratic beacon dims
Politics in Benin and Chad is becoming more alike. That is not good
“WE ARE NOT in a democratic country any more,” says Rogatien Biaou, a former minister turned opposition figure in Benin, which will hold presidential elections on April 11th. This is not hyperbole. Almost all opposition leaders have been blocked from standing. Others are in exile. Reckya Madougou, a high-profile would-be candidate, is behind bars. As President Patrice Talon slashes political freedom, anger is rising. On April 6th protesters took to the streets, chanting “Talon must go.”
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Getting too much alike, alas”
From the April 10th 2021 edition
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