France – World – Benin: tear gas to disperse a demonstration against the cost of living

Small groups of demonstrators initially gathered before being surrounded by police who then dispersed them by firing tear gas, noted an AFP correspondent.

The Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Benin (CSA Benin), one of the largest movements in this small West African country, indicated on X that its leader Anselme Amoussou had been arrested by the police.

According to a union Source, a dozen demonstrators were arrested. The police have not yet made any statement on this matter.

“I am here because we said that it is also a march against the high cost of living. But you see police officers charging at us and firing tear gas,” lamented Ariane Assilamehou, a trader.

– “It’s repression” –

“Since Talon (Patrice, the Beninese president) came to power, there has never been a march in this country. Every time, there is repression,” she added.

“I am happy with the mobilization of my comrades,” said Alban Kelomey, one of the leaders of a health workers’ union.

“We are determined and committed and fear of the police cannot get the better of us. Workers in Benin are suffering. Everything is expensive and human rights are violated on a daily basis. It’s sad what the country has become under Talon “, he added.

In 2023, the Beninese economy showed itself to be resilient even if, like its coastal neighbors, it suffered from the closure of the border with Niger after a coup d’état in this Sahelian country, from an increase in inflation and a rise in gasoline prices, according to the World Bank.

Bordering the Nigerian giant, Africa’s demographic and economic heavyweight, Benin was once known for its flourishing multi-party democracy.

But critics say President Patrice Talon has led the small state down an authoritarian path since coming to power in 2016.

– Opponent incarcerated –

Since his arrival at the head of Benin, many opposition leaders have been imprisoned or gone into exile.

Opponent and former Minister of Justice Reckya Madougou was sentenced to 20 years in prison for complicity in terrorist acts in December 2021.

In 2021, she was banned from running in the presidential election, which saw Mr Talon win a second term with 86% of the vote.

At the beginning of February, Benin’s first private press group, La Gazette du Golfe, announced the dismissal of its 200 employees after the freezing of its bank accounts by the country’s authorities.

Several journalists have been arrested in Benin, and a foreign journalist has been expelled in recent years from the country, where press freedom “has declined significantly”, according to the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF).