Beninese President Patrice Talon announced on Monday the establishment of a formal consultation framework for periodic meetings between the current president and living former heads of state.
He made this statement after an interview with his predecessor Boni Yayi whom he received at the Palais de la Marina in Cotonou.
“We are going to formalize this framework for exchange and contact between the former presidents and the current president (…..) so that while I am still here for a while, I can take advantage of you and my successor can take advantage of you and me,” said Patrice Talon during a joint press briefing with Boni Yayi.
For the current tenant of the Marina Palace, “this will always bring a plus, given first of all our seniority, we are African, given the past experience here (at the presidency, editor’s note) and in the world. The more we have elements of appreciation, the more we are advised to make the right decisions”.
The first meeting between Talon and Yayi took place in September 2021. The former head of state then asked his successor to release the opponents arrested in the wake of the April 2021 presidential election.
Coincidence or not, some detainees had regained their freedom after this appeal. Among those who are still languishing in prison are two great personalities, notably the former minister Reckya Madougou and the opponent Joël Aïvo, sentenced respectively to 20 years and 10 years in prison.
Talon has already received, on June 8 at the presidency, the former president Nicephore Soglo. These consultations with the former leaders take place less than seven months before the legislative elections scheduled for January 8, 2023.
By OMA Newsletter N° 740 of 14/06/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
