Benin: President Yayi's achievements and challenges

As the Republic of Benin prepares for the Sunday presidential election, political analysts have continued to assess the achievements of president Thomas Boni Yayi .

Upon his assumption of power in 2006, president Yayi had made promises to the Benin people for the improvement of energy and infrastructure in the country.

A political analyst, Dr Barthélemy Senou said the president has made several positive impacts.

“In 2006 when he became the president, he made promises to the people of Benin for the improvement of energy and infrastructure in the country. At the level of education also; we have felt his renewed impact”

President Yayi was one of the eight African leaders invited to attended the May 2012 G8 summit at Camp David to discuss the issue of food security.

This is perhaps an indication that the country is doing something right, at least from the perspective of its donors in the developed world.

Yayi Boni decided to stand down for #elections amidst increasing pressure in Nov 2015 https://t.co/lQdeaJdAC0 pic.twitter.com/T2OPEs0tmU

— Africa Research Inst (@AfricaResearch) March 5, 2016

Benin has long been a particularly important country for donors, it was one of the first African countries to accept democracy at the end of the Cold War and as such gained a reputation as ‘the laboratory of democratization in Africa.’

However, some observers have questioned the instability in the country, the failure of free access to schools, and the numerous corruption scandals and freedom to liberty.

“The State has the obligation for guaranteeing assess to education for all citizens, but I think the approach of the the government regarding declaration of free access was not well thought of, hence we find ourselves with many schools which are without infrastructure today, schools without teachers, while students keep on increasing day to day,” Senou said.

Furthermore President Yayi has proven intolerant towards media accusations of corruption and authoritarian tendencies.

These are just some of the many challenges the new president would have to face.