One killed, 6 wounded in Benin after army clears protesters: health official
By Camille Malplat and Josue Mehouenou LISTEN
5 HOURS AGO
Opposition supporters had set up makeshift barricades to block traffic to protest against Talon. By Yanick Folly (AFP)
One person was killed and six were wounded by gunfire on Thursday, a local health official said, after troops in Benin cleared protesters in a flashpoint town three days before President Patrice Talon seeks re-election.
Protests have erupted in opposition bastions ahead of Sunday s vote, which critics say is skewed in Talon s favour after the main opposition leaders were sidelined in a crackdown.
With three days to go before the presidential election, Benin voters remain split over the election, with some saying they will support current President Patrice Talon for reelection, while others are criticising the vote as skewed in Talon s favour after the main opposition leaders were sidelined in a crackdown.
One person was killed and six were wounded by gunfire on Thursday, a local health official said, after troops in Benin cleared protesters in a flashpoint town three days before President Patrice Talon seeks re-election.
Protests have erupted in opposition bastions ahead of Sunday s vote, which critics say is skewed in Talon s favour after the main opposition leaders were sidelined in a crackdown.
Benin s President Talon eyes re-election with few rivals in his path
By Camille Malplat and Josue Mehouenou LISTEN
6 HOURS AGO
Talon, seen here with his running mate Mariam Talata on campaign posters in Cotonou, is expected to win on Sunday. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP)
Benin s President Patrice Talon looks set to win re-election to a second term on Sunday in a presidential ballot critics say is already tilted in his favour after a crackdown on opponents.
A cotton tycoon first elected in 2016, Talon faces two little-known rivals with most opposition figures from the West African country either living in exile or disqualified from running in the election.