Title: The Beninese opposition is preparing for the 2026 presidential election: Boni Yayi at the head of the Democrats
Introduction :
The political opposition in Benin is mobilizing for the next presidential election in 2026. Former president Thomas Boni Yayi took the reins of his party, The Democrats, during the party’s 1st Ordinary Congress. This decision aims to strengthen the team and benefit from the experience of the former head of state to confront the power in place. In this article, we will look at the reasons that pushed Boni Yayi to return to the forefront of politics and the challenges facing the opposition.
Boni Yayi’s return to the political arena:
Contrary to what one might think, Boni Yayi had never left the political arena. After his presidential term, he co-founded the Les Démocrates party in 2020 with the objective of opposing the regime in place and defending democratic values. Today, the party considers it necessary to strengthen its team by taking advantage of the experience and leadership of Boni Yayi to prepare for the next presidential election.
The situation of political prisoners:
For more than two years, Reckya Madougou, Democratic candidate in the last presidential election, and constitutionalist Joël Aïvo have been imprisoned. Despite calls from international organizations, their release is slow in coming. The opposition is committed to continuing the fight for their release by proposing an amnesty law to the new Parliament. The release of these political prisoners is a priority for the opposition, which considers their detention to be an attack on democracy.
The challenges for the opposition:
The Beninese opposition faces many challenges in confronting the power in place. The revision of electoral laws is one of the priority projects to guarantee fair and transparent elections. The question of sponsorships, which poses a problem for many candidates, must also be rethought so as not to hinder democratic participation. Added to this is the need to repair the violations of the Beninese democratic model perpetrated by President Patrice Talon.
The prospect of a third mandate for Patrice Talon:
The opposition questions the possibility of Patrice Talon running for a third term in 2026. According to the Beninese Constitution, no one can be President of the Republic more than twice. The opposition does not believe in President Talon’s ability to circumvent this constitutional provision and believes that it is time to turn the page after eight years of presidency and restore Beninese democracy.
The place of Boni Yayi’s son in the party:
Some wonder about the presence of Boni Yayi’s son, Chabi Yayi, in the leadership of the Les Démocrates party. The opposition assures that there are no privileges granted to Chabi Yayi because of his status as the son of a former president. His active participation in the party is based on his civic engagement and skills, and any possible position he may occupy will be evaluated based on his merits.
Conclusion :
The Beninese opposition is mobilizing to prepare for the 2026 presidential election. Under the leadership of Boni Yayi, the Democrats intend to defend democracy and face the challenges posed by the power in place. The release of political prisoners, the revision of electoral laws and the preservation of the Beninese democratic model are all essential battles for the opposition. It remains to be seen whether Patrice Talon will attempt to run for a third term and whether the opposition will manage to make its voice heard in an often polarized political landscape.