President Patrice Talon held his first talks with predecessor and rival Thomas Boni Yayi for two years, but opposition parties condemned the lack of progress on freeing jailed colleagues.

Critics say Benin’s once thriving multi-party democracy has eroded under Talon, with most of the country’s major opposition leaders in exile, investigated, barred from running for office or in prison.

Talon, a cotton tycoon first elected in 2016, last met with former ally turned rival Yayi in 2021, in what was seen as a reconciliation effort with Yayi’s main opposition Democrats party.

Sang Donald Mendy has the details.
President Patrice Talon held his first talks with predecessor and rival Thomas Boni Yayi for two years, but opposition parties condemned the lack of progress on freeing jailed colleagues.
Critics say Benin’s once thriving multi-party democracy has eroded under Talon, with most of the country’s major opposition leaders in exile, investigated, barred from running for office or in prison.
Talon, a cotton tycoon first elected in 2016, last met with former ally turned rival Yayi in 2021, in what was seen as a reconciliation effort with Yayi’s main opposition Democrats party.
Sang Donald Mendy has the details.