Benin
The Progressive Alliance expresses deep concern over the ongoing erosion of the rule of law and democratic freedoms in Benin. The arbitrary arrests and detentions of prominent opposition figures raise serious doubts about the Beninese authorities’ commitment to respecting and protecting human rights.
Once regarded as one of Africa’s stable democracies, Benin has experienced a democratic decline in recent years. The judicial system and electoral laws have been manipulated by authorities to suppress political opposition and consolidate power. This was evident during the 2021 election, marked by the arrests of Ms. Reckya Madougou and Mr. Frédéric Joël Aïvo, both of whom were barred from contesting the presidential election. Their subsequent convictions on fabricated charges exemplify the political persecution faced by opponents of the current regime.
The number of political exiles has risen significantly, with opposition leaders and activists either being arrested or forced to flee the country. The cases of Ms. Madougou and Mr. Aïvo highlight this troubling trend.
According to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, these detentions in Benin are baseless and violate fundamental rights guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite the UN body’s clear conclusions, the Beninese government continues to flout international directives by refusing to release Ms. Madougou and Mr. Aïvo.
Reckya Madougou, a former Minister of Justice, and Frédéric Joël Aïvo, a professor of public law and constitutional expert, were both presidential candidates in the 2021 election. Their imprisonment represents a clear attempt to stifle political dissent and undermine democratic competition in Benin.
The Progressive Alliance urges the Beninese authorities to immediately release Reckya Madougou and Frédéric Joël Aïvo, in compliance with the decisions of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. We also call for an end to the repression of dissenting voices and the establishment of a political environment conducive to free and transparent elections, thereby preserving the country’s democratic achievements.
We join human rights organizations and Benin’s international partners in pressing for the restoration of fundamental rights and the peaceful conduct of fair and credible general elections in 2026.
