24 hours after the meeting between President Patrice Talon and his predecessor Boni Yayi, 17 political prisoners emptied the floor at the civil prison of Missérété. This provisional release, which took place on Tuesday 14 June 2022, was signed by the liberty and custody judge at the request of the special prosecutor of the CRIET.
Like Ferdinand Combetti, Imorou Danialou and 15 other prisoners regained their freedom following a court decision. This decision was taken the day after the meeting between the Beninese President of the Republic and his predecessor. Several soldiers and civilians accused of ” undermining state security ” and other such allegations were granted provisional freedom while the case was fully clarified.
Yayi Boni in excellent mediator mode
Indeed, this is the second time that the former president has come to the Marina Palace to plead for political prisoners and exiles. This time again, “peace” and “social cohesion” were discussed throughout. The former tenant of the Marina had in his hands a list of prisoners he wished to see released, which he submitted to the chief magistrate of Benin. Without delay, several political prisoners were granted provisional freedom the following day. This testifies to the willingness of the two personalities to unite the sons and daughters of Benin.
And this is where the diplomacy of former president Boni Yayi is to be praised, as it announces a thawing of the political and social climate in Benin. For President Talon, this meeting will bring something new. “It will always be a plus, there is the right of descent and the experience,” is how the head of state justifies his idea of seeing his predecessors more often. The Beninese president also announced that he would rapidly formalise a framework for exchanges and contacts between former heads of state and the current president.
The return of political exiles and the release of Madougou and Aïvo in sight?
In the list of released prisoners, Joel Aïvo and Reckya Madougou are not mentioned. Yet this is what the majority of Beninese hope for. Can we expect more releases? Benin is still waiting for a possible gesture of clemency from Patrice Talon. It must be said, however, that this result is undoubtedly the result of discussions between the two men.
As in September, the meeting between the two personalities was held behind closed doors. It took place in a courtroom on the third floor of the Marina Palace and lasted about an hour and a quarter.
At the end, both men spoke to the public service media. “It is useful to have this kind of exchange. I met a few days ago with President Soglo, we had the same exchanges in a very friendly, very fraternal atmosphere. We exchanged on the cost of living, social cohesion, insecurity, political peace and all that it entails,” said President Patrice Talon. Boni Yayi said: “We have done an overview of the issues that are on the table at the moment and that relate to peacebuilding. This gesture by the current president is news that will certainly ease the political climate in Benin a little more.