Source : Sahel weather Novembre 2024 

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The diplomatic thaw between Cotonou and Niamey is officially underway. General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of Niger's Conseil national pour la sauvegarde de la patrie (CNSP), has appointed Chaïbou Kadadé as the country's Ambassador to Benin. The appointment seals more than a year of political and economic tensions between the two countries, following the coup d'état in July 2023 that toppled Mohamed Bazoum. According to information from Africa Intelligence, Beninese and Nigerien oil ministers Samou Sedou Adambi and Sahabi Oumarou are due to travel to Cotonou before the end of the year to formalize their agreement on the transport of crude oil via the pipeline between Agadem (Niger) and the port of Sèmè-Kpodji (Benin). As a reminder, the quarrel between the two countries had prompted Beninese President Talon to block the passage of oil for several weeks between April and May. China, builder of the pipeline through its company China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), acted as mediator in the crisis.

Internally, the news was particularly marked by the arrest on November 13 of General Philippe Houndégnon, former Director General of the Police. He was head of the national police force under former head of state Boni Yayi, Patrice Talon's predecessor. The Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism (Criet) has charged him with “incitement to rebellion and harassment by electronic means”. Currently under a committal order, he is due to appear in court on December 16. As far as we know, Philippe Houndégnon has been regularly criticizing Talon's democratic governance in the media and on social networks for several months. Houndégnon's brother, Damien Kotchikpa Houndégnon, was also arrested, following a post published the day after his older brother's arrest. “Philippe Houndégnon having been arbitrarily retired since February 2024, he has the right, like any other citizen, to opine on political issues and to contribute his expertise and experience to the proper edification of our country Benin,” he expressed himself.

Meanwhile, a new episode in the “Frère Hounvi” case, the pseudonym of political activist Steve Amoussou, known for his criticism of Talon's governance. Appearing before the Criet on November 18, he criticized the “brutal and stupid violence” of his arrest. “You can't inherit my person without inheriting the conditions of my arrest. I wouldn't wish on anyone what I've been through (...) Who benefits from the crime of my abduction?” he said. According to defense lawyer Barnabé Gbago, “taking someone criminally from another country and coming to try them is receiving stolen goods.” The trial was finally adjourned to December 9, 2024. By way of background, “Frère Hounvi” had been abducted last August by kidnappers in Togo, brought back to Benin, handed over to the police and then charged with “harassment by electronic means, publication of false news”. Ten days later, Olivier Boko and Oswald Homéky appeared again before the examining magistrate of the Criet appeals chamber. Talon's former right-hand man and the former Sports Minister are charged with “undermining state security, conspiracy to undermine state security, money laundering and corruption of a public official”.

At the end of a ten-day mission, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, Ben Saul, drew up a mixed report. “We need more transparency”, recommended the Australian lawyer, referring to statistics on terrorist attacks. He also highlighted overcrowding at Missérété prison, where many suspected terrorists are held. “There are 652 suspected terrorists in prison, including 10 convicted prisoners,” he said, referring to the prison, which has 3,000 inmates for 1,000 places. In the same vein, a report by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, dated August 2024 and made public in December, found that the detention of constitutionalist Joël Aïvo was arbitrary, recommending his immediate release. The law professor had been sentenced in 2021 to ten years' imprisonment for “money laundering” and “undermining state security” following his arrest, four days after Talon's election for a second term.

Finally, in the context of the 2026 general elections, the opposition's consultation framework met with the Minister of Justice on November 18 to discuss the audit of the electoral roll. Formed on November 10, the coalition's aim is to repair a “damaged democracy” and ensure that these elections take place transparently.