### Back to the Dangnivo urban stone trial: a quest for truth in Benin’s political turmoil
The trial of the trade unionist and opposing Pierre Urban Dangnivo, mysteriously disappeared in 2010 under the presidency of Boni Yayi, resumed his course in Cotonou after seven years of interruption, raising painful memories and persistent questions about justice in Benin. This hearing, marked by tense confrontations and disturbing revelations, is not simply limited to a renewed interest in a former enigmatic affair. It raises broader questions about the rule of law, political transparency and the role of judicial institutions in an often tumultuous context.
#### A high tension lawsuit
The first days of this trial highlighted the complexity of the accusations made against the two defendants, Codjo Kossi Alofa and Donatien Amoussou. The latter, faced with influential personalities from the old regime, maintained serious accusations, claiming that they were manipulated by state authorities to carry the hat of a possible assassination. This reversal of the situation highlights the fragility of a judicial system in which the truth often seems drowned by political interests.
The results of DNA tests, which indicate a probability of 99.99 % that the body found be that of Dangnivo, constitute a key element in this case. However, as Me Fifa Marc Zizindohoué pointed out, lawyers are cautious and insist on the need for tangible evidence to establish a clear connection between the body and the disappeared. This prudence raises an essential question: to what extent can we consider scientific elements as irrefutable evidence in a judicial context often tainted with ambiguity?
### Reflecting justice in Africa
To better understand the magnitude of this case, it is relevant to replace it in the broader context of justice in Africa, and in particular in Benin. According to a report by the World Organization against Torture (OMCT), almost 30% of trials in sub -Saharan Africa are considered biased. In Benin, cases similar to that of Dangnivo have often revealed a struggle between the State and the rights of citizens, especially when the latter oppose the power in place.
The impact of political affairs on the justice system should not be underestimated. Surveys of the Transparency International organization stress that corruption and political influence in the judicial field continue to affect the confidence of citizens in institutions. In this spirit, the Dangnivo trial could serve as a test to measure the degree of current judicial independence in Benin.
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However, this trial is not only a matter of justice. It also represents a symptom of the awakening of a civil society increasingly aware of its rights. The numerous mobilizations of this type, as well as the demands of human rights organizations, underline a popular desire to see the responsibilities engaged and a real justice rendered for all the victims of political violence and the transition to tobacco of human rights.
The protests of solidarity for Pierre Urbain Dangnivo, ranging from youth movements to union organizations, also testify to a civility within the Beninese population. These diversified interventions echo an increasing need for transparency and responsibility, and bear the hope that this trial will be more than a simple legal show.
#### In conclusion
The trial of urban stone Dangnivo, political and social struggles of Benin, reminds us that the quest for truth remains a long path, woven with obstacles and resistance. What is played out in the Cotonou court is not only the future of the two defendants, but also the question of the rule of law and the vulnerability of individuals in the face of a sometimes relentless system. The citizens of Benin, like the international community, are awaiting answers, but above all, a promise that justice will prevail, whatever the price. Collective vigilance in the face of this promise will undoubtedly be the key so as not to give in to the shadows of the past and trace a brighter future for a nation in search of peace and respect for human rights.