Benin Politics : BENIN 2011 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

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Violent clashes instead of constructive debates

ALTHOUGH BENIN IS TWO YEARS AHEAD OF THE 2011 PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST, THE WHOLE POLITICAL ARENA HAS ALREADY BEEN WAGING CAMPAIGN; A CAMPAIGN WHICH LACKS SUBSTANCE, DEBATES, IDEAS, AND DISCUSSIONS BUT INSTEAD, HAS BEEN DOMINATED BY VIOLENT CLASHES.

On one hand, there is the ruling FCBE and its allies which are willing to have a second term in office, on the other; there is an opposition which wants to oust the President Boni Yayi. Considering, since 1990, Benin has been a democratic country, these pretensions are all legitimate but power or the quest for it, in itself, can not be enough to convince the voters.

Ruling FCBE, instead of trying to convince the citizens by its policy in Government and its willingness to face the problems confronting the nation, has thrown itself in a precocious campaign depriving the Government of the energy needed to take on the challenges of development. High officials who are supposed to be focused on governance at different levels have all the time been out on the ground campaigning.

On its part, the opposition has been unable so far clearly to define what its purposes are. It is now clear that the opposition leaders have in common the desire to oust Boni Yayi from Government but what, they intend to do afterward, remains unclear as well as what is going to be their policy and how they are going to implement that policy.

Both camps seem to be avoiding the important issues such as the fight against corruption, the global economical crisis, the Beninese electoral system, the reform of the Constitution to improve democratic and good governance and so on.

The well-known Beninese columnist, historian and journalist Jerôme CARLOS, in his analysis on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 rightly questions the rational behind this early campaign : « …But ultimately, if we look closely, what future are we talking about, the future of whom, more precisely? Is this the future of politicians who are always to be first and foremost, politically well-positioned to better cling to power, to their appreciable benefits and privileges? Is this the future of men and women, covered by the general and generic term of people who are invited in time of an election to devote themselves to problematic and unhealthy gambling of a perverted democracy? »

Apart from this lack of substance marking this inappropriate campaign, politically motivated violence has been erupting throughout the country. If the situation keeps on worsening instead of mobilizing the voters, this campaign may cause apathy from the citizens and increase their disregard to politics and politicians.

Alfred Cossi Chodaton
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : PRECOCIOUS CAMPAIGN FOR 2011

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Need for restrain

ONGOING PRECOCIOUS ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN FOR MONTHS THROUGHOUT ALMOST THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IS A WORRISOME SIGN FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS, MAINLY THE PRESIDENTIAL ONES. FOR A WHILE, THE FANATICISM AND INFLAMMATORY NATURE OF STATEMENTS DELIVERED DURING POLITICAL MEETINGS ARE AN EVIDENT PROOF.

Apparently, on both camps the positions have openly been made very clear since the Seminar of Common Return which was held in Abomey and in Bohicon and gave birth to the coalition of the anti cowries forces committed to change in Government in 2011. Since this meeting, the member parties of G4, G13 and Force Clé coalition have been watching very closely one another and none of them wants, as it is suggested, to take the risk of breaking up or “betraying” the commitment that was made. And till now, 2011 contest has been the key topic of all political statements. Everyone has therefore been focused on the forthcoming race. The peculiarity of this current situation lies in the fact that since the advent of the democratic era, it is the first time a coalition of political parties has been set up and has openly expressed its willingness to work for change in Government two years ahead of the presidential elections. A coalition, almost similar, but less structured was born in 1995, just few months before the March 1996 presidential elections. It had ousted Nicéphore Soglo and brought Mathieu Kérékou back into office. In fact, counting on his effective economical and financial achievements, under the transitional regime and under his mandate, Nicéphore Soglo has, as it may have looked like, ignored threats and ability for harms this coalition which defeated him finally, may have constituted. His partisans did not have the time to escape the fall down.

The anti cowries forces have now been in the same situation, it seems, with a Government aware which, on its side, has been embracing itself in order to be strengthened and remain in place trough all legal means. Then the cowries forces and the ones of opposition have been, all weekends, on the ground holding political meetings which turn into campaign rallies with denunciations and insults. The nearer, the elections' day is, the more worrisome, the ongoing premature campaign has blithely been getting. There have not been contradictory debates on the media to keep the wrangling under control and allow the people to be well-aware in order to make the good choice when the time comes.

The violence which broke out last weekend in Ouidah and resulted in one death and many serious injured, has direct or indirect links to this premature campaign. In some places, threatening statements have sometimes been very dreadful. Partisans have been getting exited and the tension has been running high steadily. All weekend has been marked by insults, poisoning and anxiety with a Government that has increasingly been getting distracted from its tasks for the country's development and by denunciations made without any evidence. With this foreseeable danger which is coming up, the Civil Society should start an awakening campaign. It is only this Civil Society that can still recall to the minds of politicians their obligations not to put peace in jeopardy by their deeds.

Apollinaire Kouton
Translated by Alfred Cossi Chodaton
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN THE HEAD OF STATE AND THE LABOR LEADERS

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Four hours of frank dialogue at the presidential palace

THE LEADERS OF LABOR UNIONS MET SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2009 THE HEAD OF STATE AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE. DURING EXACTLY FOUR HOURS, BONI YAYI AND HIS GUESTS HAD SINCERE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS FACING THE WORKERS.

For weeks, the social unrest has been on such a rise that one could think the country has been going through a crisis despite the intense activities of public authorities on the ground. Last Saturday, the Head of State decided to give a helping hand to his Ministers who had already been engaged in talks with the works through a dialogue with the labor union leaders. Taking serious the invitations, almost all the front leaders of the labor movements responded positively to the Head of State’s appeal. The labor leaders were impressed by the availability and the openness that the Head of State demonstrated towards them. He spent about four hours having a constructive dialogue sanctioned by commitments and promises for the future.

Indeed, with Boni YAYI, the leaders of trade unions had talks mainly about the increase in the level of wages, bonuses and other benefits granted to workers. The Head of State has spoken frankly of the State finances, his sensitivity to workers problems and his readiness to provide progressive solutions based on available resources. As proof of his commitment, the Head of State has promised, for instance, to sign this week an executive order to establish the level of increase in the minimum wage. He also promised to set up a commission to study the conditions under which certain allowances are allocated to health sector workers who over the past few days have been on strike causing a lot of damages to the patients in public hospitals. Also he assured health sector workers that the payment of incentives will be continued. Regarding the privatization of some State owned companies, Boni YAYI has promised union leaders that he will always take good care of workers’ interests. And to prove his commitment to abide by the outcome of the talks, the Head of State has promised regular meetings with them every three (03) months. Gaston AZOU of CSTB, Georges KAKAI GLELE of COSI and other labor leaders left the presidential palace with the feeling that they now have a more receptive partner to the workers’ problems.

Apollinaire KOUTON
Translated by Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : MILLENIUM CHALLENGE ACCOUNT BENIN

US Ambassador opposes the Government’s move

IN A LETTER SENT TO THE BENIN GOVERNMENT ON TUESDAY, MARCH 03, 2009 BY US AMBASSADOR GAYLEATHA BROWN, SHE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE UNILATERAL MOVE BONI YAYI HAS INITIATED BY APPOINTING OTHER GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES IN THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE MILLENIUM CHALLENGE ACCOUNT BENIN DOES NOT ABIDE BY THE AGEEMENT WHICH WAS SIGNED BETWEEN BOTH COUNTRIES.

The whole thing started by a letter received by the current Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Benin Coordinator from the Presidency Chief Staff letting him know that due to the appoint of new members in the MCA Benin Executive Board, a previously schedule meeting of this board could not take place.

Here is an extract from the letter:

« By executive order of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 and issued to the public on March 01, 2009, the Government making rightly an interpretation of the Compact provisions has changed the Executive Board of Millennium Challenge Account composition. From now on, the Minister in charge of Maritime Economy, Maritime Transport and Port Facilities, represents the Head of State in the Board. The Ministers in charge, respectively, of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, on the one hand, of Economy and Finance on the one hand again, of Environment and Nature Protection, on the other hand, of Urban Development, Housing, Land Reform and Coastal Erosion Prevention on the other hand again and of Justice represent the Government in the Board.

At last the other members of the Executive Board are:

• Benin Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Chairman;
• A Civil Society representative;
• A representative of Benin National Communes Association;
• A representative of the National Assembly Board.

The Head of State representative will assume administration of the Executive Board. This decision taken by the Government is in accordance with the Compact provisions and must be implemented without delay. It is why I ask you to get in touch with the new Head of the Executive Board in order to have discussions over the modalities for transfer of function.

It is only after the transfer of function that the new date for the next Executive Broad session might be made public. »

The response of US Ambassador on Tuesday, March 03, 2009:

« At a meeting convened on the February 12, 2009 by his Excellency, Dr. Boni YAYI, President of the Benin Republic to insure the MCC program advancement and success, he stated he intended to restructure the Executive Board.
MCC appreciates the important initiative taken by the Government for this purpose. In fact, in the news paper La Nation issued on Monday, March 02, 2009, we read that the Cabinet had adopted the previous week a draft executive order on the establishment, prerogatives, composition and functioning of the Executive Board and the Advisory Board for Benin National Program of Millennium Challenge Account.
We express our satisfaction with the oversight at high level of this program by the Government to ensure its success. Nevertheless, the agreement signed by both Governments on February 22, 2006 has already defined very precisely the structure and the functioning of the MCA Benin
The Compact has also specifically listed, in the section 3 (c) (i) of Annex l, the transactions, the records and activities which require the initial MCC approval. It is evident that considering the Compact provisions, before the implementation of any change to the MCA Benin Executive Board and Advisory Board or other change of this nature, the initial MCA approval is necessary. Without such an approval, present structure, authorities and prerogatives remain in place. (Enclosed is the text in English and in French).

We will be please to receive from you the detailed proposals for a more effective implementation of the Millennium Challenge Account program.

Counting on your usual diligence, please accept, Your Excellency the Minister, the assurances of my highest consideration. »

About MCA

The Millennium Challenge Account program was initiated under President BUSH’s administration to help developing countries combat poverty and support economical growth but the program is supervised by a US Government body, Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Benin is among about twenty (20) African countries which have been the beneficiaries of Millennium Challenge Account program.

«The five-year $307 million MCC Compact with Benin aims to increase investment and private sector activity in Benin. The Compact is comprised of four projects: increasing access to land through more secure and useful land tenure, expanding access to financial services through grants given to micro, small, and medium enterprises; providing access to justice by bringing courts closer to rural populations; and improving access to markets by eliminating physical and procedural constraints currently hindering the flow of goods through the Port of Cotonou. »

The selection of these countries has been made based on criterions among which is the « commitment to policies that promote political and economic freedom, investments in education and health, control of corruption, and respect for civil liberties and the rule of law by performing well on 17 different policy indicators. »

Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : GUNMEN ATTACK RB HEADQUARTER

Former President SOGLO's party headquarter came under attack

LAST THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 19, 2009 TWO GUN MEN BURST INTO RENAISSANCE DU BENIN HEADQUARTER IN COTONOU, ASSAULTED THE GUARDS, ENTERED SOGLO'S OFFICE AND RAN AWAY WITH PARTY RECORDS.

The former Head of State, Nicéphore SOGLO who happens to be Cotonou Mayor came to the scene with his deputy, Léhady SOGLO.

According to the local TV station Golfe, the two gunmen did not take with them any valuable items other than documents as the cars which were parked in the compound, were left untouched the gunmen. They went to the office of the party's honorary chairman, Nicéphore SOGLO and to the one of Léhady SOGLO and got away with party administrative records. One guard who was seriously injured was rushed to hospital.

The motive and the authors of this attack remain unknown so far. Interior Minister, Armand ZINZINDOHOUE who also went to the scene expressed his indignation and the willingness of the Government to find out those behind the attack and make sure they are punished as they should be. “This kind of event can not be condoned in a country which claims to be a democratic one”, he said.

Attacks on ordinary citizens have been common in Benin for a while and no measure on the part of the Government has really been proven to be efficient in curbing the phenomenon.

However, this latest attack, which occurred when relations between the opposition and Government had not been good, would definitely have another connotation.

The BR is a member party of the G4 which intends to make a change in Government in 2011 presidential contest. During March 2006, after the first round of presidential elections, the RB, the PSD and MADEP supported Boni YAYI for the second round but now all these three parties which gave him their support have formed an alliance with Adrien HOUNGBEDJI who was his contender.

All attempts made by Boni YAYI to get the BR back in his camp were unsuccessful. The Cotonou, Mayor Nicéphore SOGLO saw the willingness of ruling FCBE to unseat him through the last local elections which took place in March 2008 as a betrayal. On March 12, 2008, he and other leaders of G4 made a public declaration in which they voiced their disapproval about the way Boni YAYI has been handling State affairs.

In November 2008, they went Abomey and Bohicon to seal formally an alliance to oust Boni YAYI in 2011.

Therefore, this attack might further isolate Boni YAYI and add to the mistrust and tension between both camps. When questioned by journalists, Nicéphore SOGLO said that he was supposed to be personally targeted by the attack. He said there had been a bad wind blowing throughout the continent that was threatening the country.

Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : G4’S CANDIDATE FOR 2011

Option for a unique candidate

FOR A WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN TAKLS WITHIN THE G4 MEMBER PARTIES ABOUT THE CHOICE OF A UNIQUE CANDIDATE WHO WILL STAND IN THE 2011 PRESIDENTIAL RACE. THIS CHOICE SHOULD COME OUT AND BE MADE PUBLIC VERY SOON.

The main opposition parties, the RB, the PSD, the MADEP and the PRD associated with other political coalitions such as G13 and Force Clé in an unprecedented meeting in November 2008 in Abomey and Bohicon voiced their willingness to join their forces, fight and win together the next presidential elections schedule to take place in March 2011.

Yet, so far nothing has been said about who will be the G4’s candidate and now, two years ahead of these elections, as the political landscape has started bracing its for the contest the need for this choice to be made has been getting increasingly urgent.

According to different sources, this choice must be made by April 2009. It is likely that Léhady SOGLO and Adrien HOUNGBEDJI are the two major contenders among whom the choice has to be made as the other G4 leaders Bruno AMOUSSOU, Antoine IDJI and Lazard SEHOUETO do not seem to show any interest till now in standing.

On one hand, Bruno AMOUSSOU who is now seventy (70) can not stand in any forthcoming presidential elections unless the current Constitution which bans anyone older than seventy (70) from standing is amended. On the other hand, the choice for a successor to Bruno AMOUSSOU might prove to be a divisive issue which will weaken further the PSD. Antoine IDJI, on his part, can still stand but his choice as a candidate is not presumable due to his very low performance in the 2006 contest. He got 3.23% of the vote and came fifth after Léhady SOGLO. As for Lazar SEHOUETO, he did less than Antoine IDJI and can not really be chosen as a candidate who is supposed to knock down Boni YAYI.

SOGLO Nicéphore’s son, despite his young age, came fourth in the 2006 presidential contest by getting 8.54% of the vote and has been very active in strengthening the ties between G4 members. Adrien HOUNGBEDJI was the most main Boni YAYI’s contender and got 24.23% of the vote. He is an experienced politician. Therefore, if a choice for a unique candidate were to be made, it should be either Léhady SOGLO or Adrien HOUNGBEDJI.

Anyway, the resolution within the G4 alliance to stand united in 2011 presidential race is strong. The leaders of the alliance are all convinced the fact that they who had bitterly fought each other in the past, come together to struggle and win the 2011 race should be a powerful signal to their followers and to the people who would definitely rally behind them. According to them, it is an unprecedented event in Benin’s history that should help unit the people for the opposition’s triumph. For this purpose, they think that the choice of this unique candidate have to be made by taking into consideration ordinary Benin citizens’ aspirations.

Among other issues, a G4 meeting which is due to take place soon will be reflecting on the modalities for the designation or the appointment of this unique candidate. Should the appointment be made by a panel of main figures through vote or on the basis of consensus? Which are the criterions that have to be considered in this choice?
In fact, these issues will prove to be very difficult to deal with despite the resolution and willingness of member parties not to go for 2011 presidential elections divided. Nevertheless, the G4 leaders are aware the option of individual candidacy, because of the lack of popular enthusiasm, the apathy that it can cause, might definitely lead to an outright victory for Boni YAYI.

Another contentious issue which may be a blockade to the choice of a unique candidate is Bio TCHANE’s potential candidacy. The G13 which is an ally to G4 has been backing and fighting for Bio TCHANE. Moreover, Mathieu KEREKOU is also said to have close ties with Bio TCHANE and seems to be willing to back him. And nobody can ignore the fact that Mathieu KEREKOU still has a lot influence over his former allies such as Bruno AMOUSSOU and Antoine IDJI and may try to use this influence in favor of Bio TCHANE.

As a result and given the increasing lack of cohesion within the ruling coalition, the uncertainty about the outcome of 2011 presidential elections is almost intact and any prediction will truly be hazardous. Nothing has already been set. Two years are long. Many surprises might have been awaiting the country. This makes any reliable analysis difficult and even impossible.

In an article published in the daily new paper ‘Le Matinal’, on Thursday, March 19, 2009, Calixte ADIYETON concluded that « all this causes to draw a picture of political uncertainty regarding the next presidential elections. However, this state of affairs has the advantage of keeping the political game still open to all sorts of negotiations and alliances in the last moment. This perspective can hold enough surprises, because if the opposition forces now agree upon the need for changing the driver in 2011, it is important to ensure that among the passengers of the vehicle, there is one at least that has his driver's license. »


Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : FIGHT AGAINST OIL SMUGGLING

Government meets major actors in Kpayo’s business

FINANCE MINISTER, SOULE MANA LAWANI MEETS THIS WEDNESDAY; SOME MAJOR ACTORS INVOLVED IN OIL SMUGGLING. THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO ACTIVELY EXPLORE WAYS AND MEANS TO CURB THIS BUSINESS, WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO COMBAT.

Faced with the recklessness of traffickers and other actors involved in illegal oil trade in the country, the Government has not given up. The Government has been using repression to track them down as well as continuously pursuing his policy of dialogue, given that for many years, successive regimes have left the business to grow, prosper so it has become a scourge, a genuine social phenomenon. In some border areas of Benin, the trafficking of this prohibited product is the main business. It took almost the place of agriculture and other trades. The survival of many families depends ultimately on it. Powerful lobbies have even been set up to defend the business in such a way that the Government is obliged to negotiate. It is even said that, at unsuspected levels in the State apparatus, illegal trafficking of the oil known as Kpayo, smuggled product, enjoys support.

In these circumstances, the negotiation is the only choice available for the Government that has already created an institutional framework to enable traders who are involved in this illegal business to start operating in the formal sector. Moreover, in this context, facilities are put forward to these illegal traffickers to install small filling stations. However, this approach that deserves to be praised does not seem to be really working. The few filling stations created are installed in major cities including Cotonou. Much of the country is not supplied by either the large filling stations or by small ones. The populations of areas which are not supplied by the formal sector have Kpayo as the sole source of supply. Finance Minister meets some key actors in the informal sector, who are still hesitant, presumably to explore other avenues and opportunities that may help get them out of this very dangerous business for themselves and for society as a whole.

Apollinaire KOUTON
Translated by Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : G4’S FISRT BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

A statement was released to mark the anniversary

NATIONAL COORDINATION OF YOUTH UNITED FOR THE NATION RELEASED A STATEMENT ON THE OCCASION DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT PRD HEADQUARTER BY MATHIAS AGON. HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY:

Contemporary political history teaches us the main mutations which affect the peoples come from the willingness and resolution to find a way to development and prosperity.

The long-lasting progress of our country’s political forces has often been marked by crucial stages sometimes favorable, sometimes heartbreaking for these forces. Our country’s political forces or political coalitions have flourished and grown through different attempts to cooperate and merge for the quest and experience of power. On the contrary, this steady process has still undergone blockades and setbacks which have kept annihilating the efforts made by each of us to establish and put in place a genuine cohesive political alliance which is indispensable for this country’s development.

By his own genius, the beninese people invented in February 1990 the Conference of the Nation’s Active Forces whose outcome was overwhelmingly welcomed.

The new era of multiparty system which was inaugurated thanks to the Conference marked the rise of new political forces in the country. These forces have taken for nearly twenty (20) years part into consolidation of our country’s democratization. In this process, they sometimes fought each other, sometimes came together to preserve the advancement of democracy.

The rise of the so-called regime of change has raised tremendous and legitimate hope among ordinary citizens. Unfortunately, this hope has faded due to new political practices and the populist way of governing which cause enormous concerns regarding governance at all levels.

In fact, the numerous conflicts in the relationship between institutions, rampant ill governance, but also and mainly the real threats on our democracy, led our political parties, one (01) year ago, to unit in the same crucible for reflections, analysis and actions in order to safeguard the National Conference’s achievements.

So since March 12, 2008 the RB, the PSD, the MADEP and the PRD, after the G13, joined by the Force Clé Alliance have instituted a dynamic and coherent framework to give our brethren reasons for hoping. It was at the memorable informative meeting which took place on March 12, 2008 at the Palais des Sports de Kouhounou.

This important gathering was met with a particular enthusiasm on the eve of the April 2008 local and municipal elections.

Many observers had questioned our ability to make enduring this new engagement, arguing that our past bitter rivalries are still vivid.

The achievement of the engagement for unity:

Among other achievements since March 12, 2008 made by the G4, G13 and Force Clé, we can mention:

· The victory in the April 2008 local, communal and municipal elections;
· The regular high level meeting of party leaders;
· The reinforcement of the political partnership which resulted in common standings on issues regarding national interests;
· The consultation among the Coalition’s parliamentarians on issue regarding the National Assembly;
· The Seminar of Common Political Return in Abomey and Bohicon on 28 and 29 November 2008;
· The establishment of the Youth National Coordination of the Alliance named Youth United for the Nation on Saturday, February 28, 2009 in Cotonou.

The perspectives for the engagement for unity:

Since March 12, 2008 and on different occasions, the political forces united in the G4, the G13 and Force Clé have demonstrated that this Alliance will go on getting strengthened.

However, the past evil division forces have been trying to resurface, using the obscure means which are the old hatred and resentments. These attempts are unfortunately made possible by some among us which give into the Government’s bribery and its deceitful seductions.

Nevertheless, we can expect that these mistakes will not be a blockade to the progress towards unity and the realization of new alternative which can raise hopes. It is why on this day, the anniversary of the G4 establishment, the Youth Untied for the Nation would like to urge the different leaders to be firm and to work without hesitations for the reinforcement of the engagement for unity.

We are now on a road where there is no possible return. Those who will try to do so will only be sanctioned by the youth and the people. Therefore we have no right for mistakes. History has shown the political landscape of our country does not offer any perspective for solitary victory.

For this, the Youth United for the Nation recommend that the comparative advantage of political Alliance is not wasted.

Long live Democracy!

Long live the G4, G13 and the Force Key!

Long live Benin!

May God guard us!

Cotonou, March 12, 2009

Translated by Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : BENIN GREEN REVOLUTION

Agriculture top on Boni YAYI’s agenda

ANYWAY THAT IS THE MESSAGE HE IS EAGER TO CONVEY TO THE PEOPLE. ONE OF THE MAIN PROMISES BONI YAYI MADE DURING THE CAMPAIGN FOR 2006 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, IS TO SPEED UP ECONOMICAL DEVELOPMENT BY IMPLEMENTING AN AGRICULTURAL POLICY THAT WOULD INSURE FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY TO THE COUNTRY. NOW HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO SHOW HE IS STILL WILLING TO KEEP HIS PROMISE.

Boni YAYI has now been touring the country to meet farmers and consult them about what needs to be done for the beninese farming to develop. The farmers enumerate several demands that have to be met for the Government to achievement its purposes on agricultural development. After meeting the farmers in Atalantique-Littoral department and in Ouémé-Plateau department, the Head of State went to the northern region of the country.
Difficulties faced by the farmers are twofold. There are logistical issues regarding clearing, storing and conservation but also financing of the sector. The farmers suggest that a bank is set up to finance agriculture.

In response to these demands, President Boni YAYI promises to accelerate the reforms of the agriculture sector to enable producers of all sectors to diversify and to double their production.

Boni YAYI has promised once again to work diligently for mechanization of the farming. He reaffirmed his commitment to provide both the logistics and the technical assistance to insure this mechanization.
This is a message of hope that President Boni YAYI has wanted to convey to producers. «Our system produces more poverty than it creates wealth. But considering the population growth, we must go very quickly in order to reach food self-sufficiency. », said Boni YAYI. For the Head of the State, 422,000 hectares of farmland (among these 15% of the valley) belonging to the departments of Ouémé and Plateau are enough to feed all the Benin if we try to establish an agriculture development policy.

On the issue of agriculture development, Benin Government is engaged in a partnership with countries such as India and China. During his recent trip to India, the Benin Head of State had acquired tractors and other devices necessary for the implementation of agriculture mechanization.

Though, Boni YAYI’s courage, determination and willingness to develop the beninese agriculture must be praised, there are all of questions regarding land reform and the availability of the technical assistance. Many analysts raise a lot of questions about the success of the Government agriculture policy as in the past, Benin tried in vain to implement agricultural reforms.

Jérôme CARLOS who is a well-known columnist, historian and journalist argued that the country still has a long way to go before its ambitions regarding green revolution can be achieved: « …there will be no green revolution unless we care about training new generation of farmers that can ensure the safe continuation of farming activities. From this point of view, which education program have we put in place in our schools to support the announced green revolution? While it is true that there is not wealth other than men, we must be convinced that a new generation of women and men, armed with a new mentality and equipped with new knowledge and skills are needed to work as the major actors on the stage of our green revolution. »

Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics :NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

MPs endorse three draft agreements for 22 billions funds granted to Benin

MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MET ON TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2009, AT PALAIS DES GOUVERNEURS IN PORTO-NOVO TO PASS THREE (03) DRAFT LOAN AGREEMENTS WHICH SHOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT ITS INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY BUT DID NOT FAIL TO VOICE THEIR GRIEVANCES TOWARDS THE GOVERNMENT.

The three draft loan agreements signed between Benin Republic and some of its partners were endorsed on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 by the National Assembly.

Most important one is the bill endorsing the loan agreement signed on May 06, 2008 between Benin Republic and Bank for Investment and Development of the Economic Community of West African States (in French Banque d’Investissement et de Développement de la Communauté Econimique des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest : BIDC) in connection with the financing of the rehabilitation project regarding the roadway which links Cadjèhoun Airport, Place de Souvenir and Africa Airline Crossroads in Cotonou worth 12.805 billion CFA francs of which 9 billion CFA francs as participation of Benin State. The particularity of this project is that it has already been implemented before its approval by the parliamentarians.

The second one is the bill approving the loan agreement signed on May 13, 2008 between the Republic of Benin and the West African Development Bank (in French, Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement: BOAD) for the partial funding of paving and streets sanitation in Abomey city worth 5.726 billion CFA francs of which 0.017 billion CFA francs as participation of Abomey Municipality.

Finally there is the bill authorizing the loan agreement signed on September 12, 2008 between Benin Republic and International Development Association (AID) as part of the Competitiveness and Integrated Growth Opportunity Project (CIGOP) worth 12.5 billion CFA francs for among other benefits: supporting the development of new businesses and creating jobs on the basis of the commercial transformation of the national resource, providing potential investors with opportunities to identify slots direct commercial transformation of the national resource, to overcome the technical barriers to trade and enable domestic companies to explore markets difficult to access, integrate all sectors investment as well as the access to market of beninese products.

The three (03) bills endorsing the loan agreements were respectively passed by 65 votes, 59 votes and 63 votes unanimously by parliamentarians present for each vote.

The Government was represented by Housing and Urban Development Minister, François NOUDEGBESSI, Small and Medium Business Minister, Léandre HOUAGA and Finance and Economics Minister, Soulé MANA LAWANI.

Despite the unanimous vote for all three (03) bills that were passed, the most of the parliamentarians were much critical about what they called the Government disrespect towards the National Assemebly. The draft that has drawn the most the attention of the parliamentarians is the one approving the loan agreement signed on May 06, 2008 between Benin Republic and Bank for Investment and Development of the Economic Community of West African States (BIDC) in connection with the financing of the rehabilitation project relating to the roadway linking the Cadjèhoun Airport, Place de Souvenir and Africa Airline Crossroads in Cotonou.

Indeed, roadway joining the Cadjèhoun Airport, Place de Souvenir and Africa Airline Crossroads has already been rehabilitated before the CEN-SAD summit held in Cotonou from 12 to 18 June 2008, nevertheless it is on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 the funding had to be approved by the National Assembly.

According to the parliamentarians, mainly Rachidi GBADAMASSI, Raphael AKOTEGNON, Jean-Baptiste EDAY, Paulin TOMANAGE, it is the disregard of the Government for National Assembly’s prerogatives on public finance management that attends to this state of things.

Some parliamentarians even uttered more serious criticisms about the Government’s handling of State finance. The MP Eric HOUNDETE said: «…I will vote for the bill …» for political reasons. According to him, if the issue were to be examined under technical ground, it would not be advisable to vote for the bill. The implementation of this project has been marked by technical failures and squander. To him, the building of this road was too expensive.

«How can one build a road 12 kilometers long by spending twelve (12) billion while the road which links Akpro-Missérété-Dango-Adjohoun-Kpédékpo long eighty nine (89) kilometers long would cost fourteen (14) billion?», wondered the MP le Kifouli CAKPO who is a PRD member.

On the contrary, most of the parliamentarians of the governmental coalition, the Head of State has been doing well. They thank him for making the Cadjèhoun Airport beautiful, but André DASSOUNDO acknowledged that the Government has not respected the National Assembly by proceeding the way it has do and invited the Speaker to forward a letter to the Head of State in order to point this out to him.

Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : VOTERS REGISTRY COMPUTERIZATION PROJECT (LEPI) FOR 2011

MP Janvier YAHOUEDEHOU’s concerns

THE DEBATE OVER THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VOTERS REGISTRY COMPUTERIZATION (LEPI) BEFORE THE 2011 ELECTIONS DOMINATES THE CONTROVERSY IN PARLIAMENT. SOME VOICES HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY OF THE OPERATION. CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE NOT MET TO GET A RELIABLE COMPUTERIZED ELECTORAL REGISTRY WHICH CAN PREVENT POSTELECTORAL CONTESTATIONS. THE MP, FCBE MEMBER WHO IS AN EXPERT ON COMPUTER PUTS A DAMPER ON THE SUCCESS OF THE OPERATION.

In a statement, the MP Janvier YAHOUEDEHOU expressed serious reservations about the willingness of the Head of State to make effective the computerization of voters’ registry (LEPI) for the combined 2011 presidential and legislative elections. According to him, the operation’s success depends on the completion of the Administrative Census with Civil Status Vocation (in French, Recensement Administratif à Vocation Etat Civil: RAVEC) initiated by the Government. In his understanding, electoral registration should be performed on the basis of birth certificate.

Yet, as for today, all Beninese do not have birth certificates despite the implementation of RAVEC. The project has limited the delivery of this paper to children under 15. Then, the MP finds it necessary to stop for a moment to review the work done to determine the number of Beninese who have managed to obtain the identification papers.

In terms of human resources, the MP raises enough questions about the availability of information technology specialists who will be needed for the project. It must be retained that MPs members of G4, G13 and Force Clé alliance found it difficult to have someone for computer engineer position at SAP/CENA. Most people with this profile have declined the offer because the appointment would not be profitable for them. Faced with this difficulty, the chairman of the parliamentary group "ADD nation and development," Jean Baptiste EDAY gave up the position to the governmental coalition. It means that high-level computer engineer is not common. The MP suggests a directory of computer scientists be established in order to ascertain their number.

In technical terms, the MP also has concerns. The 4-month period proposed by the experts for the completion of the census mapping, data exploitation of the national agricultural census does not seem normal. He has also expressed concern about the qualification and training of census agents. Beyond all, the MP Janvier YAHOUEDEOU has the merit to raise a substantial problem as a specialist in the field. Engineer and PhD in computer science, the MP has highlighted shortcomings in the process as recommended by the experts. His conclusion is that the LEPI may not be available before 2011. During UNDP National Convention in Bohicon, he said there had been prerequisites to be met. However, according to one of the initiators of the draft law on the LEPI, MP Karim CHABI SIKA, the remarks made by the MP Janvier YAHOUEDEHOU are political considerations from a technician. He criticized YAHOUDEHOU for not putting in the shoes of a legislator. It would have been desirable that the MP turns his concerns in proposed legislation to correct deficiencies stated his peer who shares some of his concerns. He considers that YAHOUEDEHOU’s position on the LEPI issue does not solve the problem.

Fortune AGUEH
Translated by Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : PROPSAL FOR A NEW TERRITORIAL DIVISION

Savalou inhabitants reject the proposal and expel the Commission which made it

A COMMISSION SET UP ON OCTOBER 15, 2008 BY THE PRESIDENT BONI YAYI AND HEADS BY RICHARD ADJAHO AFTER COMING UP WITH A PROPOSED TERRITORIAL DIVISION FOR BENIN, SPLITTING THE COUNTRY INTO TWENTY-ONE (21) DEPARTMENTS, HAS BEEN CHASED AWAY FROM SAVALOU CITIY.

Savalou city is a town situated in the central region of the country. Between Savalou, Dassa-Zoumé and Savè, there has been a rivalry over the choice of the capital city of Collines Department proposed by a previous draft which split the country in twelve (12) regions. When an attempt was made to implement the proposal the inhabitants of Dassa-Zoumé reacted violently. The Government therefore suspends the implementation and asks for a new proposition by setting up a Commission.

The Commission set up in October last year, conducted a throughout examination of the current administrative division and the previous proposal splitting the country in twelve departments (12), put forward the latest proposal with twenty-one (21) departments.

Therefore, the Commission had been instructed by the Head of State, the President Boni YAYI to raise public awareness on the subject, to tour the country and convince the people of the goodness of its work.

It is why the Commission convened on Wednesday, March 04, 2009 a meeting with the people of Savalou in order to explain to them the new draft for the country’s administrative territorial division.

The population does not like the proposition that the Commission chaired by Mr. Richard ADJAHO made. He was personally targeted by the remarks of the speakers. Here is what in response to his introduction, they told him: « …It's because your job is dirty and has not been convincing that the President has let you down by asking you to go and tell people you are its authors. Mr. ADJAHO, do you have anything wrong to blame on Savalou? …. Today, President Boni YAYI has entrusted Savalou with the chieftaincy of Collines Department, and it is still you who has been dispossessing it…Mr. ADJAHO, you are bad; you are the executioner of the Savalou city and nobody has forgotten here. We commend the President KEREKOU who has labeled Benin intellectuals as idiots. You are one of them. You are retired, stupid and amortized people, to whom; Boni YAYI has generously given State vehicles and money that you squander. We pity your children who are the ones that will pay for your deeds. If I were you, I would forgo this job…»

«ADJAHO, héélou! ADJAHO, héélou! ADJAHO, héélou!!! », they started shouting to utter their outrage.

As if this very tough speech was not enough to express their anger, Savalou’s populations have fallen short of lynching the Commission members that were touring the country to explain their work.

Thus they were driven off with sticks and hostile slogans. The Committee has nearly escaped a catastrophe. As one could imagine, this touchdown was one of the riskiest for the former Interior Minister Richard ADJAHO and his team. The tension was generated by the new territorial division whose they are the authors.

Since some voices have been admonishing the new proposal, it is the first real test the former Minister of the Interior had to face. Assaulted verbally, then confronted with an uprising, Richard ADJAHO withdrew in his car to avoid the projectiles that were thrown to him.

This event must be a wakeup call for the leaders of this country not to give into populism. Many analysts in the media have warmed about the consequences of this proposal which could be seen as a sign of weakness. It is as if the populations have come to the conclusion that as long as they could violently and brutally oppose the will of the State, the Government would relinquish its power and give into their demands.

Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : PRESIDENTIAL MAJORITY

Signs of deep division within the ruling FCBE

FORCE CAURIS FOR AN EMERGING BENIN (IN FRENCH FORCE CAURIS POUR UN BENIN EMERGENT: FCBE) WHICH BACKS PRESIDENT BONI YAYI IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, HAS BEEN DISPLAYING FOR AWHILE SIGNS OF DIVISION WITHIN ITS LEADERS. IF CONFIRMED, THIS IN-FIGHTING MIGHT NOT DO GOOD FOR 2011 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

The FCBE was set up as a governmental alliance on the eve of the March 2007 legislative elections which it won by obtaining thirty-five (35) seats against at total of eighty-three (83) seats in the National Assembly. Such a victory allowed Boni YAYI to put in place a presidential majority by reaching an agreement with the G13 alliance. Nevertheless, the comfortable majority which was supposed to give Boni YAYI all the power he needed to implement its policy had not lasted. It had been eroded by the withdrawal of G13 from the governmental coalition.

From what has been going on for a while within the ruling FCBE, it seems that the worst is still to come. There are obvious facts signaling lack of unity between the leading members of the alliance.

Janvier YAHOUEDEOU, a ruling FCBE's leading member, an advisor and a close associate to Boni YAYI, after criticizing severely the Head of State, in a speech delivered at the UNDP convention on Saturday, February 21, 2009, in Bohicon, over his positions regarding the implementation of the LEPI (the Voters’ Registry Computerization Project), was summoned to explain his statement at a meeting of the party’s leaders. He was reported to have defended himself brilliant and even other influential members of the ruling FCBE agreed with him.

In an article published in the local daily news paper, “Nouvelles Mutations” on Friday, March 06, 2009, another MP, Grégoire LAOUROU, who is a FCBE member elected as parliamentarian in the Banté constituency in the Central region, is said to be siding with Bio TCHANE, one of the potential contenders to President Boni YAYI in 2011 presidential contest. The article was much critical about the MP Grégoire LAOUROU, depicting him as someone Boni YAYI can no longer count on.

In another article published the same day in the daily news paper, “Le Matinal”, one of the most important political parties members of FCBE, FADES is said to be subject to a serious crisis which resulted into the sacking of the MP André DASSOUNDO from the party. The parliamentarian André DASSOUNDO is a leading member of the FCBE and the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

The MP André DASSOUNDO reacted to his sacking by setting up his own party, the PSED on Friday, March 06, 2009 in Dassa-Zoumé but still claims to be supportive of Boni YAYI’s actions: « It must be retained once and for all whether or not DASSOUNDO creates his own party; he is and will be part of the presidential majority. DASSOUNDO and his party support the ideals based on justice, human rights and development espoused by the Head of State since his coming to power. And we will support the Head of State until the end of his term. »

Nonetheless, some analysts suggest that André DASSOUNDO has been dismissed from the FADES because of his recent stand against the way FCBE is being managed. There are even allegations that he intends to join the opposition alliance of G4, G13 and Force Clé and support Bio TCHANE’s candidacy for 2011 presidential race.

In another development at the National Assembly in Porto-Novo on Friday, March 06, 2009, the first extraordinary session which was due to take place, was boycotted by the fifty-five (55) parliamentarians among whom twenty-two (22) from the ruling FCBE. The session was convened by the Speaker of National Assembly after an express demand from the Government that wants the Parliament to approve three different loan accords signed between Benin and its partners.

The overwhelming absence of the FCBE parliamentarians might be another sign of malaise within its ranks. This growing division at a time when Boni YAYI has to face an increasingly defiant opposition from the G4, G13 and Force Clé, is not a good sign. It is as if the Head of State is not able anymore to convince his own camp about his chance to secure a second term in office. Now all those whom he is supposed to rely upon seem to be turning their back on him. Truly, things are getting tough for the Head of State.

Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : BONI YAYI’S TRIP TO INDIA

Rehabilitation of Benin’s railways on the agenda

THE TRIP TO INDIA OF PRESIDENT BONI YAYI, IN ADDITION TO THE OPPORTUNITY THIS EMERGING COUNTRY WHICH HAPPENS TO BE A POWER BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND DEMOGRAPHICALLY, IS IMPORTANT FOR THE BENINESE BECAUSE IT OCCURS AFTER A VISIT OF THE BENIN’S HEAD OF STATE TO RAILWAY MEN FACING STRUCTURAL DIFFICULTIES FROM THE COMMON ORGANIZATION BENIN NIGER (IN FRENCH ORGANISATION COMMUNE BENIN NIGER: OCBN), THE COMPANY WHICH MANAGES THE RAILWAYS AND WHOSE ACTIVITIES ARE PENDING FOR NEARLY A DECADE. INDIA HAS SOLD THREE LOCOMOTIVES TO BENIN AND THE HEAD OF STATE PROMISED TO ACQUIRE THREE MORE. HENCE MANY COUNT ON THIS TRIP TO INDIA.

In fact after contacts with different outside investors, most of them were not willing to try and get back on track a Railways and Transport Organization Common Benin Niger (OCBN), which has continuously been plunging in a deepening crisis, can no longer face competition from road and stand up to aging equipments, shortage of spare parts, the decay of railways, the financial difficulties resulting in wage debts up to 10 months' arrears from which the Head of State promised to pay for 5 months first.

In addition to this salary assistance for a start, Boni YAYI’s vision is to restore the rails and rail transport, an instrument for decongesting and increasing transactions at the autonomous Cotonou Port, which is itself subjected to a modernization in order to match the needs of developing countries in the hinterland, particularly Niger. The docks used as warehouses by these countries need the carrying capacity of trains.

Moreover, the Government intends to reverse competiveness of the roads became unsafe due to the state of trucks, insecurity and carrying capacity. The train is also a serious asset to restore passenger trains on some lines suspended since 2007 in order to boost tourism. It is also said for mega structures that will be built against coastal erosion, transport of several tons of materials such as granite, the facilitations that the trains provide will have to be needed.

The OCBN that has been thought to be buried still bears a lot of hopes for future. In any case, the Transport Minister Nicaise FAGNON has strong faith and the Head of the state remains in the same line. Since 1959, OCBN manages the rail network inherited from the Network Benin Niger (in French Réseau Bénin Niger : RBN).

This network was built from 1900 to 1939 and includes 579 km of track metrics that were divided into three lines: the Cotonou-Parakou express from Cotonou, the North (Cotonou-Parakou), 438 km long, whose extension to Niamey, through Dosso is planned; the East (Cotonou-Pobè), 107 km long with traffic has been suspended since December 01, 1990. There was also the West line (Cotonou-Sègbohouè), 60 km long, which is also suspended.

The OCBN is about fifteen years old, had a large fleet of vehicles (cars, locomotives, rail motor tractors, cars) and around 287 cars for the carriage of goods. With 1380 employees in 1989, OCBN made possible the movement of 1 137 000 passengers and 382 229 tones of cargo. Its situation is not very brilliant and after over a decade of neglect without convincing answers nor obvious interests from both States in the recent past for this valuable tool of transportation. The organization has sunk into a perilous apathy that the new management team seems to be willing to contain by prompt actions. But the damage to equipment and railways are such that it will take a lot of determination and authorities’ faith into the benefits to be drawn for the economical development so that the previous prosperity of rails could be restored and the Niger’s railways project could get connected with the OCBN network can be attractive to invertors.

Léon BRATHIER
Translated by Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : VOTERS’ REGISTRY COMPUTERIZATION

Tough political battles in National Assembly on the LEPI are predicted

THERE IS APPREHENSION ABOUT FIERCE BATTLES IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OVER THE VOTERS’ REGISTRY COMPUTERIZATION PROJECT (IN FRENCH, LISTE ELECTORALE PERMANENTE INFORMATISÉE: LEPI) AS TWO PROPOSED BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT ON THE SAME LAW.

The first proposal has been made by the MP Karimou Chabi SIKA, member of the ruling FCBE and the second, by the MP Epiphane QUENUM, member of the RB which belongs to the G4 alliance.

The LEPI aims at improving the Benin electoral system which has been manual and subject to controversies till now. Since the beginning of the democratic era in Benin, almost all the elections (local, general or presidential) that took place in the country ended up in acrimonious disputes. It is why in order to avoid a potential electoral crisis each side of political landscape, the Government and the opposition are eager to have the LEPI for the 2011 presidential contest.

However, as each side is willing to have a tight hold of the process, the issue has now become a highly sensitive subject. Of course, there are some common grounds in the two bills but are also divergences.

The mainly contentious issue is likely to be the composition and prerogatives of the body (MINERA) which will conduct the LEPI implementation.

While the first bill suggests a body dominated by politicians, the second one favors a body which is politically neutral and is made up of personalities endowed with special expertise.

The MP Chabi SIKA proposed that the number of the MINERA members is fifteen (15), three (03) members appointed by the Head of State, nine (09) by the National Assembly as each parliamentarian group will have to provide at least one (01) member in order to assure the representativeness of all factions, two (02) by the Civil Society, one (01) by SAP/CENA.

His counterpart, MP Epiphane QUENUM that the MINERA is made up of nine (09) members, one (01) judge, one (01) demographer, one (01) sociologist, one (01) specialist of Information Technology, one (01) statistician, a mapping specialist, and one (01) election specialist.

QUENUM’s bill also provides an Executive Committee composed of three members to oversee the MINERA. The committee’s President will be appointed by the Head of State, by an executive order on the advice of Supreme Court President. The second should be an accountant manager, a secretary reporter appointed by their peers.

Apart from the composition of MINERA, there may be differences in the phases for the LEPI implementation. In fact, before the computerization of voters’ registry, some preparatory operations have to be performed mainly an electoral census.

According to the bill introduced the Speaker of the National Assembly by MP Chabi SIKA, there are three steps to follow, for this census to be conducted successfully: an electoral map need to be drawn up, the count house by house of the population aged from ten (10) has to be done and finally personal, individual and digital data of the electorate will be recorded.

The MP Epiphane QUENUM figures out five steps to follow regarding the census: electoral mapping, electoral census of the population aged from fourteen (14), electoral registration, LEPI implementation and delivery of electoral card.

Regarding the supervision of these preparatory operations, the MP Chabi SIKA suggests it is done by a National Committee for Technical Supervision (in French Comité National de Supervision technique: CNST) which acts under the MINERA, while the MP Epiphane QUENUM thinks due to the need for technical and professional skills and competences in the drawing up the electoral map, it would advisable to have professional organizations with evident experiences at the national level to oversee them.

Anyway, these two drafts definitely show the willingness of each side to see the LEPI be implemented. Nevertheless, a successful outcome requires some conditions.

First of all, considering the past experiences of election in Benin and the results obtained previously by the CENA, it might be better those intuitions which are politically neutral supervise the different operations. If this important issue of politicization is not fully considered, those institutions may have to work in difficult conditions knowing the bitter rivalries and mistrust between the different camps.

Another factor may cause the failure of the process is the inability on part of each side to make compromises.

Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : CONTROVERSY OVER ESCORT DUTIES

Government's clarifications on tax income derived from the escort

ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2009 AT THE MINISTRY IN CHARGE OF PUBLIC ACTION PROSPECTIVE AND ASSESSMENT, TEN (10) MINISTERS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE TO EXPLAIN HOW THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN MANAGING TAX REVENUES COLLECTED FROM TRANSPORTERS OF SECONDHAND CARS IN TRANSIT TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.

This conference has been held amidst claims over mismanagement of tax income collected by the Government as escort duty from secondhand cars dealers.

Importance of escort duties in Benin economy

Benin as a coastal land is a strategic place for transport of goods, mainly secondhand cars, in transit to neighboring countries such as Burkina-Faso, Niger, Mali, Chad and even Nigeria. The transit of secondhand vehicles has been a very lucrative business both for individuals and for the State.

The Benin Customs escorts the vehicles in transit to neighboring countries till borders and collects for each car a duty worth 210.000 cfa francs instead of 350.000 cfa francs since the escort's control has been taken away from private companies that used to run it under the previous regime. Cutting escort duty aims at making Cotonou Port more competitive.

According to the figures released by the Minister in charge of Public Action Prospective and Assessment, Pascal Irénée KOUKPAKI the amounts of receipts earned from escort by the Government was forty six (46) billions cfa francs at the end of the year 2008.

Accusations from political adversaries over escort duties mismanagement

Since Boni YAYI took over power in March 2006, there have always been allegations over mismanagement of the escort duties which would be spent to finance the Government's program of loans to the poor; but what prompted this press conference was the recent statement from MP, Issa SALIFOU who at the UNDP convention in Bohicon on Saturday, February 21, 2009 made accusations about the way income derived from secondhand cars business is managed. According to him, even though the management, which was made about this State revenue under the former regime of Mathieu KEREKOU, was not transparent; what has been happening presently is worst for this tax income under the current regime is not budgeted.

Government's clarifications

Mr. KOUKPAKI talks about the Government's effort to appraise and improve the State assets

« In April 2006, let me remind you, the economical and financial state of our country was difficult. Remember, the Head of Sate has instructed the Government to appraise the State assets. In this process of State assets appraisal, we had to deal with State expenditures but also with the State incomes. We had to consider all options to increase the State incomes, combat frauds and recover unpaid taxes. »

How were escort duties formerly managed?

«When it comes to business of secondhand cars in transit to neighboring countries, we tried to find out how it works. We asked the Head of National Treasury questions and, I can assure you, the answers that we got were not satisfying for the figures regarding this business were not really available…. » In fact, under the former regime of Mathieu KEREKOU, private companies controlled the vehicle escort and there was a lot of opacity surrounding its management. At the time, media, Civil Society and even ordinary citizens had always regretted the huge looting of public resources.

Mr. KOUKPAKI went further to say « when the current Government took over in 2006, it inherited from the previous Government, a budget whose bill was passed in the National Assembly in 2005 and which did not consider the escort duties…»

How are escort duties managed now under the current regime?

«Therefore, we have recorded these receipts progressively as resources to finance the State budget. There are two ways of recording these receipts either as fiscal resources or non fiscal. It depends on the nature of the resources. Here, it just means that these resources are being used to finance the budget deficit. From State finance point of view, it does not make sense to say that escort receipts have financed some activities. If you go the National Treasury today and ask for the receipts records, you will find these resources. »

« An account had been opened by not a Minister but by the Head of National Treasury. This account had already been opened before the State took charge of the secondhand cars business management. So, it is not a special account; it is not an account that has specially been opened for this purpose. This account is named deposit account; that is the name the Head of National Treasury has given to the account which records the budgetary assistance provided to us by our partners. This account also records debts cancellations, since Benin has been a beneficiary of debts cancellations…When the Head of Custom deposits the resources derived from escort in the Central Bank in the account I have just talked to you about, he is given a form which recorded the operation and one copy of this form is sent to the National Treasury, one to the Ministry of Finance so that he might be aware of this deposit. Periodically, there have been confrontations between the Head of Custom and the Head of National Treasury. A report is made on these confrontations whose copy is forwarded to the Minister of Finance. Therefore, traceability of these resources is recorded in the State accounting system and the Central Bank sends a statement about all these operations relating to this account to the Head of National Treasury. One copy of this statement is sent to me. I can assure you that the Head of Customs has never been aware I receive this document. This allows me to have him under scrutiny. This is part all Finance Ministry's tasks. It does mean there is a problem of trust. You know, control is necessary and it helps consolidate trust…»

What about microfinance?

« The Government did not mean specifically identified resources should serve to provide money for the National Microfinance Fund …We have a national microfinance policy, an instrument to finance the poor, a microfinance governance body, a Head of Microfinance. And the program has been financed by national resources from National Treasury. I have heard that it is not budgeted. This might lead to believe there is not traceability of it. I made sure it was budgeted and since I left the Minister of Finance, my successor has been doing it the same way. If you go and see the BCEAO accounts, you will find the records of it in the bank's accounting system. This could be seen as credits of the Treasury to national microfinance fund. The National Treasury by doing so is assuming its role of State banker and it has the prerogatives to perform these operations as long as they have been approved by the Government and by the Finance Minister…»

On this issue, the Microfinance Minister, Reckya MADOUGOU also talked to the journalists in order to make her points. According to her, the loans have been given to the people on the base of objective criteria which have nothing to do with ethnical or political background. The Government does not give the loans directly on the ground but the microcredit has been provided to population through specialized institutions.

The Government assures that choice of beneficiaries is made objectively. It has also put in place investigatory missions to find out the way the operations have been performed throughout the country.

Apart from the Minister in charge of Public Action Perspectives and Assessment and the one in charge of Microfinance, the Justice Minister, Victor TOKPANOU, the Economy and Finance Minister, Soulé Mana LAWANI and, the Secondary, Technical and Professional Education Minister, Bernad Lani DAVO condemned what according to them is a campaign intending to misinform and mislead the people.

The Government hopes to clear the allegations over escort receipts mismanagement by this press conference and refocus the debate on the need for an objective policy about microfinance.

At the National Assembly, on Friday, January 23, 2009 an Inquiry Commission was set up to investigate the program of loans to the poor.

On Sunday, March 1, 2009 the G13 alliance also held a press conference to outline the fact that, according to them, there have been contradictions between Mr. KOUKPAKI's statement and a letter sent earlier to the National Assembly by the Finance Minister, in which has declared the escort receipts have been serving to provide resources for the Microfinance Fund. The G13 asked for a report of an official investigation made by a body (Inspection Général d'Etat) which acts under the Head of State's authority.

Alfred Cossi CHODATON
alf2chod@yahoo.fr