Former Beninese president Nicéphore Dieudonné Soglo has expressed his indignation at the persecution of businessman Sébastien Adjavon in political exile. The first president in the era of Democratic Renewal addressed his successors, Boni Yayi and Patrice Talon through an open letter on Thursday 23 February.

This letter comes at a time when, on Tuesday 14 February, the Beninese state put up for sale 18 properties seized from businessman Sébastien Ajavon through an advertisement for the sale of real estate. The auction will take place before the court of first instance of Porto-Novo on 14 March 2023 at 8.30 am. In the meantime, here is the full text of President Soglo’s open letter to his successors.

Nicéphore Dieudonné SOGLO
Former President of the Republic
Cotonou

To
Presidents Patrice TALON and Boni YAYI
Cotonou – Benin

Cotonou, 23 February 2023

Subject: Open letter A/S Persecution against our
compatriot Sébastien AJAVON.

Excellencies Presidents Patrice TALON and Boni YAYI,

I am using this channel to publicly question you about the cycles of persecution to which our compatriot and businessman Sébastien AJAVON has been subjected for several years.

I could have taken up my pilgrim’s staff again and talked to both of you about this. But I prefer taking the 12 million Beninese as well as the international community as witnesses.

The outpouring of acts of provocation, humiliation and sabotage against Mr. Sébastien AJAVON raises great questions among us. Maybe there is a reason that the general public ignore and that justifies the seizure or destruction of all of the businessman’s assets, including his personal and intimate items, which were auctioned off as if he had already been banished from the Republic. Even the worst criminals have their place in the Republic after serving the right sentence after a fair trial.

Under the regime of Mr Boni YAYI, he had already suffered a wave of attacks from his henchmen. As Head of State, you did not refrain from inveighing against him in the public arena. He was compared to another declared ‘virtuous’ by you, even though he was the president of the National Council of Employers of Benin.

Then it is the turn of the regime of Mr Patrice TALON.

Presidents Boni YAYI and Patrice TALON, you should understand that these vindictive actions offend our lifestyle and simply violate our conscience. And I have to tell you about it loud and clear to stimulate public debate.

What is currently happening under your regime, Mr Patrice TALON, is inconceivable, as you have had problems with the institutions, particularly the justice system of our country in the recent past. And yet you were able to retain your rights as a Beninese citizen to the point of running for the supreme magistracy.

At that time, I personally intervened with the French authorities to prevent you from being extradited when there was a price on your head right here in your country, Benin.

Why then this intolerance towards another son of this country? Benin cannot be held hostage to personal vengeance or a secret vendetta. If Mr Sébastien AJAVON, once the employer of thousands of Beninese citizens who are now unemployed, really deserves the banishment process currently underway against his person, his family and his property, we must talk about it in the public arena in a contradictory manner.

This country has always been a haven of peace for its sons and even for the foreigners who live there. Thousands of businessmen have prospered there with varying fortunes, without living under terror, trickery or rage. Why should it become an ordeal for his own sons?

Is this the kind of ‘Nation’ that your forefathers or fathers bequeathed to us?

Any attempt to jeopardise the way we live together is to be fought with the utmost energy.

States everywhere are doing their best to protect their economic operators by offering them the best conditions to enable them to conquer the ruthless world of international trade. It is inadmissible that, during this time, in Benin, being a businessman has become a millstone around your neck, leading to your downfall. And the public authorities are involved in this hideous task. I am ashamed and indignant.

Presidents Patrice TALON and Boni YAYI, we Beninese await your explanations.

I hope that common sense and wisdom will return to your hearts!

Best regards,

Nicéphore Dieudonné SOGLO
Former President of the Republic
Former Mayor of the city of Cotonou
Vice-President of the Forum of Former Heads of State and Government of Africa,
Created in 2006 in Maputo under the patronage of Nelson MANDELA