Benin’s main opposition party, The Democrats, has announced it will not endorse any candidate in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for April 12. The decision follows the disqualification of the party’s own nominee, who failed to secure the required parliamentary backing to contest the race. As a result, the election will be a two-horse contest between Romuald Wadagni, the chosen successor of outgoing President Patrice Talon and Paul Hounkpe of the opposition FCBE. Speaking after a party meeting in Cotonou on Sunday, the party’s general secretary said The Democrats would remain neutral but “open to dialogue in a republican spirit.”
The announcement comes during a turbulent period for the party. Former president Thomas Boni Yayi recently stepped down as party leader due to health concerns, while his son, Chabi Yayi, has left the party following his arrest over an alleged coup plot. In addition, The Democrats suffered a major setback in January’s parliamentary elections, losing all 28 of its seats to the ruling coalition. At the same meeting, party members elected former MP Noureini Atchade as their new leader. He urged supporters to reorganize and mobilize ahead of future political battles. President Talon is set to step down after completing his constitutionally mandated two terms, leaving a tightly contested and politically sensitive transition in his wake.
