Benin: Thomas Boni Yayi slams the door of his party

The former Beninese president, Thomas Yayi Boni, upon his arrival at Cotonou airport, Benin, on November 20, 2019. RFI / Jean-Luc Aplogan

Text by: Jean-Luc Aplogan

Former Beninese president and main opponent Boni Yayi announced on Sunday via his Facebook page that he will quit his political party, Force Cowries for an emerging Benin. A withdrawal which comes a few weeks before the municipal elections scheduled for May 17 and for which the Autonomous National Electoral Commission validated five party lists.

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From our correspondent in Cotonou

" I regretfully leave the FCBE party ", writes the former head of state before accusing: " my party was confiscated and has become a political pole for President Patrice Talon ".

This declaration comes a few days after the validation of the lists authorized by the Cena to participate in the municipal meetings of May 17. Boni Yayi who could not manage the preparation of the FCBE lists still accuses and believes that the candidates who do not share the same vision as the government, have been excluded.

For him, behind the maneuver, there is the hand of power, but he denounces above all " illegitimate activists of the FCBE ", at the origin of this situation.

Last September, while Boni Yayi, honorary president, was being treated abroad, a handful of activists took the initiative, without a warrant, to take steps to obtain the receipt of legal existence from the Ministry of the Interior. They got it and took full control of the party.

Attempts to regain control of its founder were unsuccessful, Yayi was met with resistance and sometimes even distrust.

In anticipation of the municipal elections, the former head of state warned against using his name and his image under penalty of legal proceedings.

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