In Benin, a national holiday under the sign of relaxation
Beninese President Patrice Talon in Cotonou during the parade marking the 62nd anniversary of independence, August 1, 2022. AFP - YANICK FOLLY
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Benin celebrated this Monday, August 1, the 62nd anniversary of its independence.
President Patrice Talon attended the parade with those at his side who have always accused him of authoritarian drift and of having damaged Beninese democracy.
A first.
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With our correspondent in Cotonou,
Jean-Luc Aplogan
The photo is unusual.
In the presidential gallery from which Patrice Talon attends the traditional parade are also his fiercest opponents: his predecessors Nicéphore Soglo and Boni Yayi, as well as the leader of the Les Démocrates party, Éric Houndete.
All accepted the invitation.
Soglo cut short a medical stay to be present and Boni Yayi, ECOWAS mediator for Guinea, returned from Bissau a few days ago.
Could the relaxation be on the way?
The President of the Democrats believes that it is not yet complete.
“
We have come to salute the flag and we hope that the Head of State will hear our cries.
When he did me the honor of greeting us, I told him that we needed to talk for the country to move forward.
We have come to pledge our availability for appeasement
,” says Eric Houndete.
Nicephore Soglo and Boni Yayi, dressed in white boubous, were in the front row.
“
He promised me the relaxation, the release of all those who are in prison, of those who are in exile,
confides Nicéphore Soglo, who remained seated almost all the time during the parade
.
Me, anyway, I'm like Saint Thomas.
I only ask to see
.
»
Read also: Benin releases 30 opposition activists during Emmanuel Macron's visit
Nicephore Soglo is very concerned.
His son Léhadi, dismissed from the town hall of Cotonou and sentenced for abuse of office, has lived in exile in France since 2017. "
I did not issue a decree to banish a Beninese
", defended Patrice Talon during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron.
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