Benin presidential candidate injured in gun attack

A Beninese presidential candidate was injured after gunfire hit his car shortly after he officially filed his papers for a presidential election in April against incumbent Patrick Talon, family members and the government said on Saturday. government.

Ganiou Soglo, former minister and son of ex-president Nicéphore Soglo, was injured on Friday on the way to his farm in Zinvie, 35 km from Cotonou, the commercial capital of the West African country.

He was one of 19 politicians who filed for the April 11 poll.

“He was shot in the shoulder, but his prognosis is not guaranteed,” said a member of the Soglo family from the hospital where he was being treated.

Many Beninese opposition figures are either in exile or banned from standing for election, which has sparked criticism that the former French colony once seen as a model of democracy has turned to authoritarianism under Talon.

Police have opened an investigation but have yet to release a statement.

Benin government spokesman Alain Orounla condemned the attack and said security forces would apprehend the attackers.

“The government will ensure the diligence of the investigations carried out quickly by the Republican police services,” he said.

The opposition says the election is already fixed in favor of Talon, especially after a new provision in the electoral law requiring each candidate to be formally sponsored by 16 mayors or members of parliament.

Map of Benin. By (AFP)

Critics accuse Talon of leading a country once praised for multi-party democracy on an authoritarian path and say he is behind a crackdown that has driven his main rivals into exile.

In the April 2019 legislative elections, no opposition party was allowed to present lists of candidates for voting.

A year later, only six challengers from the opposition to sitting mayors won municipal elections boycotted by some opponents.

“Running in a presidential election in Benin today is a nightmare. From shameful exclusionary measures to assassination attempts to threats,” opposition candidate Reckya Madougou said before going to the country. ‘hospital.

Some opposition leaders have formed a coalition backing little-known academic Joel Aivo as the sole candidate against Talon, despite fears the outgoing president may face a small challenge in the election.