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Benin : Political turmoil in Cotonou and alerts in the North Spécial
octobre 17, 2024
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© Reuters
Source : Sahel weather September 2024
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The news was greeted with astonishment by public opinion in Benin. On the night of Monday to Tuesday, September 25, Olivier Boko and Oswald Homéky, two public figures, were arrested for allegedly attempting a "coup d'état". The former, a businessman, is a long-standing friend and partner of President Patrice Talon. The second is a former sports minister under Talon. "It appears that the commander of the republican guard in charge of the Head of State's security was undertaken by Minister Oswald Homéky on his behalf and that of Mr. Olivier Boko to operate by force a coup d'état on September 27, 2024", declared Elonm Mario Mètonou, Prosecutor of the Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism in Benin (Criet), in a press release issued on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the prosecutor's version, former minister Oswald Homéky was arrested while handing over six bags of banknotes - a sum of 1.5 billion CFA francs - to Djimon Dieudonné Tévoédjrè, commander of the Republican Guard, who was arrested at the same time. At the same time, the public prosecutor announced the opening of an investigation to "identify all those involved" in the alleged coup. Although the commander was subsequently released, Boko and Homéky are due to appear before the Criet on Tuesday October 1.
Businessman Olivier Boko had been displaying his political ambitions for some time. According to some tongues, this attitude suggests that he could be a candidate for the 2026 presidential elections. This is evidenced by the launch of the "OB26" support group movement, officially called "Objectif Bénin 2026", but which is reminiscent of Olivier Boko's initials. Some say that it is this upheaval that has displeased Patrice Talon, weakening relations between the two men. As for former minister Oswald Homéky, he resigned from his post in 2023, after calling for support for Olivier Boko's candidacy.
The attacks continue in the North
Meanwhile, terrorist incursions in the north continue unabated. Indeed, two attacks have been recorded in the space of a few days. First, an ambush on September 15 in the village of Kompa in the commune of Karimama, where two policemen lost their lives. Then, on the 19th, a terrorist attack by the Hanifa Katiba (of the JNIM group) in Malanville - on the border with Niger - where the assailants targeted the defense and security forces. Two police officers died. To this end, as part of the drive to strengthen the capacity of its soldiers to combat terrorism, Benin will shortly be taking delivery of fifteen new armored vehicles, provided by France and the European Union.
In addition, the thawing and normalization of diplomatic relations between Cotonou and Niamey are being consolidated. The foreign ministers of Benin and Niger, Shegun Bakary Adjadi and Bakary Yaou Sangaré, met on Friday September 27, 2024, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. It was the second formal meeting between the two men in the space of a month.
Finally, the grey areas surrounding the "Frère Hounvi" affair have not yet been completely dispelled. To say the least, the case has had a rather curious outcome. Jimmy Gandaho and Géraud Gbaguidi, accused of orchestrating the kidnapping of Steve Amoussou, were sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment, including 12 months' imprisonment, in addition to 5 million FCFA in damages to be paid to the victim. For the moment, Steve Amoussou alias "Frère Hounvi" is awaiting his court appearance scheduled for October 7. As a reminder, he has been placed under a committal order for "provocation to rebellion, initiation and publication of false news and harassment by electronic means."