As tensions continue to rise leading up to Benin’s April general polls, one of the country’s presidential candidates was wounded as a result of a gunfire attack which occurred soon after he formally filed his papers for the election.
Running against incumbent President Patrick Talon, Ganiou Soglo, a former minister and son of ex-president Nicephore Soglo, was reportedly wounded on Friday outside the country’s commercial capital, Cotonou. Soglo is one of 19 politicians who has indicated an interest in the country’s top seat with elections scheduled for April 11, 2020.
Addressing supporters and well-wishers in a communiqué, Soglo explained that his main focus at this time is his recovery and medical treatment. He, however, reassured the public that the “vile” attack had done nothing to undermine his “commitment to freedom.”
Shaky Democracy
As elections draw near, many opposition figures in Benin are either on exile or banned from running in the election. This has prompted criticism that the former French colony, once seen as a model of democracy, has been pushed over the edge into an authoritarian system led by President Talon.
The opposition has also hinted at an election systematically rigged in favour of President Talon, most especially after a new part of the country’s electoral law, which requires that each candidate be formally sponsored by 16 mayors of members of parliament. During parliamentary elections in April 2019, no opposition parties were allowed to present lists of candidates for the vote. Therefore, this new requirement has its flaws as a majority of the nation’s parliament is occupied by the ruling party. A year later, only six opposition challengers to sitting mayors won in municipal elections that were boycotted by some opponents.
Talon’s alleged crackdown has also been seen as the reason behind a large amount of exile cases with majority of these cases involving opposition of his party or government.
Police have opened an investigation into the shooting but have yet to issue an official statement.
