Controversy over the end of the presidential mandate in Benin: the opposition calls for mobilization
Police officers during an opposition demonstration in Cotonou, Benin.
(Drawing).
AFP - YANICK FOLLY
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The opposition refuses the extension of Patrice Talon's mandate, after the modification of the electoral calendar, which would allow the head of state to remain a month and a half more in his post, before the winner of the presidential election on Sunday takes its functions.
Patrice Talon has been in office for five years today.
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With our correspondent in Cotonou
,
Jean-Luc Aplogan
On this Tuesday afternoon, in Cotonou, regroupings are reported in Cadjèhoun, not far from the residence of
former president Thomas Boni Yayi
.
When a group is dispersed, it goes elsewhere to reform.
Red Star Square, where tires were burned last night, three Republican police pick-ups are stationed.
The roads leading to the Presidency of the Republic are not closed, but by mid-morning, two tanks patrolled the area.
Mobilization in the rest of the country
In Parakou, the main city in the north of the country, protesters ransacked a headquarters of one of the parties supporting President Talon.
They also ransacked the premises of a private radio station, Urban FM, of which the deputy mayor is a shareholder.
Information confirmed to us by the director of the channel.
In Porto-Novo, the capital, the supporters of the failed candidate, Joël Aïvo, demonstrate.
The same goes for Savè, in the center, and in Tchaourou, the hometown of the former president, where
determined
opposition activists are
trying to block the roads.
On the banners and slogans, we read the refusal of the extension of the mandate of President Talon, who took office on April 6, 2016. “
Five years is five years, Mr. Talon!
Not one more day
, ”hammer the processions.
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Benign
Patrice Talon
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