Benin Presidential Election: Candidates prepare amidst hostilities

The political class in the Republic of Benin prepares for a presidential election amidst hostilities.

A coalition of politicians and union activists, led by the former head of state, Nicephore Soglo recently kicked against the choice of the prime minister Lionel Zinsou as the presidential candidate for the ruling party.

According to the coalition group, it is about “parachuting” controlled by France, the former colonial power. Zinsou, French-Beninese banker, had in June last year left his post as the head of one of the biggest European investment funds to become a prime minister of Benin. A few months later, he was appointed as candidate of the Strengths Cowries for Emergent Benin (FCBE), party in power.

Lionel Zinssou spent big part of his career in France.

According to the government spokesman Alassan Tigiri, “No law of the republic excludes the Prime Minister from the presidential race.”

Three businessmen have also announced their interest for the Benin Presidential race : Ladislas Prosper Agbéssi, active in the oil sector on the African continent, Sébastien Ajavon, who has made a fortune in the food-processing industry, and Patrice Talon, tycoon of the cotton business who became the main opponent of president Boni Yayi since 2012.

Republic of Benin’s 6th presidential election is scheduled to take place on February 28, 2016.

The autonomous National Election Board says the application of candidates will close January 12.