Benin cut off from American aid because of "non-respect for democratic principles"

A view of Cotonou, the capital of Benin (Illustrative image) © Salako Valentin / AP

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This is a worrying signal for the leaders of Benin, the American investment and aid program, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, (MCC) will " 

significantly 

" reduce its envelope dedicated to Benin projects.

Washington does not appreciate the imprisonment and convictions of opponents.

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It is a penalty calculated to the nearest millimeter.

If Benin has indeed been renewed for one year in the list of countries benefiting from MCC aid programs.

However, the amount of this aid will be reduced.

This is due to " 

decline in Benin's commitments vis-à-vis the eligibility criteria of the MCC and democratic governance principles

 ".

This reason leaves no doubt about American concerns towards Cotonou.

Because while the MCC is an independent agency of the US government, it applies a series of criteria similar to this when it chooses to select the countries to which it provides assistance.

American fears about the justice system

In 2015, the MCC launched a program of electrification over several years of the Beninese countryside, for an amount of 375 million dollars, or 240 billion CFA francs. The MCC's decision comes as the State Department reacted to the ouster of opposition candidates in the last presidential election. He had also expressed his "

 serious concerns 

" about the interference of politics in the Beninese judicial system, the day after

the convictions of Joël Aïvo and Reckya Madougou

.

The Beninese government's response to the American decision was also calculated to the nearest millimeter.

The government spokesman contented himself with recalling that in Benin “ 

the institutions play their role

 ”, and that the regime is “ 

that of the separation of powers

 ”.

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