Benin Politics : NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

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Benin on the verge of a parliamentary crisis

The tension between both camps, the opposition coalition of G4, G13 and Force Clé and the ruling FCBE, caused by the precocious campaign for March 2011 presidential elections, has been worsening and degenerating into a blockade of the National Assembly.

Alfred Cossi Chodaton
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

The opposition and the presidential camp are struggling to dominate the National Assembly and mainly to influence the vote for the implementation of Voters Registry Computerization Project (in French Liste Electorale Permanant Informatisée : LEPI).since the Parliament is due to put in place the legal framework for this project to become effective.

To achieve this aim, all means have been used by each camp to persuade the MPs members of the opponent camp to defect. Therefore while the ruling FCBE seems to be wooing some opposition MPs such as Epiphane Quenum and Justine Chodaton who are both members of Renaissance du Bénin, the G4,G13 and Force Clé coalition has managed to provoke the defection of a MP, Daré Sabi Tokou from the presidential camp.

This last defection has assured a narrow majority to the opposition, which intends to use it to dictate the outcome of the vote of the draft law over LEPI.

However, after this change of majority in the Parliament, the different sessions convened have been postponed because of either the unavailability of the parliamentary secretaries or the opposition boycott. The session convened on Tuesday, April 07, 2009 could not start because of the absence of the second parliamentary secretary, Amissétou Affo Djobo. On Tuesday, April 14, 2009, the opposition MPs boycotted the opening of the first ordinary session, which was due to start
In the media, the analysts suggest since the beginning of the democratic era, the Parliament has never complied with its obligations and duties poorly as the current legislature, which is the fifth one, has been doing.

In an article issued on Thursday, April 16, 2009, in the daily newspaper, Le Matinal, Jean-Christophe Houngbo, commenting on the situation in National Assembly, argued, « In situations of this kind, it is the parliamentary diplomacy which must be activated to soften the opposition’s stand. A similar situation occurred under …Mr. Adrien Houngbedji when he headed the National Assembly in the first legislature. His report was rejected after its controversial opening of a regular session. The remarks in the report were hostile to the regime of President Nicéphore Dieudonné Soglo who had a strong majority in Parliament. However, the time to leave Maison Internationale de la Culture and come to Palais des Gouverneurs in Porto-Novo was enough to settle disputes. All provisions were really taken and the voltage dropped within a few hours. The same incident took place with Bruno Amoussou under the second legislature. Everything comes back in order thanks to a very aggressive diplomacy. Today’s legislature is a particular one. This diplomacy jealously maintained so far, has almost disappeared; confraternity has left the forum in the National Assembly; the MPs exchange insults and punches as kids. One would think that there is really no way to calm down the climate as in the past. In addition, the Speaker Mathurin Nago himself does not want to learn from the records left by his predecessors to get by. »

Benin Politics : BRUNO AMOUSSOU RELEASED HIS BOOK

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«L’Afrique est mon combat»

On Saturday, April 04, 2009, the major leaders of G4, Nicéphore Soglo, Adrien Houngbédji, Séfou Fagbohoun and Bruno Amoussou were in Paris. The reason for their presence in Paris is that the former Benin National Assembly Speaker, Bruno Amoussou released his book, whose title is «L’Afrique est mon combat»

Main source: blog dedicated to the book
Translated by Alfred Cossi Chodaton
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

The French title « L’Afrique est mon combat » might be translated, as «Africa is my fight»

A ceremony attended by distinguished guests

The ceremony took place at Club Press de France, rues Jean Goujon in Paris and was attended by journalists and many Beninese and African figures. One could find among the audience Adrien Houngbédji who is also a former parliamentary Speaker, the former Head of State, Nicéphore Soglo, the MADEP honorary Chairman, Séfou Fagbohoun, and other guests such as Nouréni Tidjani Serpos, Deputy Director General of UNESCO, Africa Department, or Agossou Albert, Ambassador of Benin in France. They all praised the book of Bruno Amoussou.

The ceremony started when Saliou Akadiri, the master of ceremonies, also Pobè Mayor, requested the attention of the hundreds of people who were beginning to lose patience. He greeted and thanked the attendance mainly African personalities who were present.

The former Congolese Prime Minister, current ambassador of Congo in France, Henri Lopès, who happened to be Bruno Amoussou’s classmate received special greetings and thanks. He had the task of presenting the book of his friend Bruno Amoussou, who is a «comrade, politician and author like me, » he said. Proud to have read the manuscript, Henri Lopès emphasized truth and sincerity in this book. The long speech of Henri Lopès pulled the book from its Beninese context to give it a continental scope. The audience was all captivated and seduced by the rhetoric of Henri Lopès, who is also a writer. The exercise of his friend Bruno Amoussou, retracing his route and political commitment, reminded Henri Lopès, « has something fictional »

The atmosphere was friendly. The author’s address added to this. Neatly dressed in a traditional cloth, a white booboo, Bruno Amoussou was not only the well-known politician of Benin. He brilliantly illustrated his book and the audience was impressed.

Bruno Amoussou tells Benin history

The book is made up of two hundred pages, which narrate the history of the former French colony Dahomey and one of Africa until 1972, the year of the last military coup in Dahomey. Dahomey and Africa are the « stem characters » which Bruno Amoussou talks about in his book.

What mainly prompted Bruno Amoussou to write, «L’Afrique est mon combat» is a combination of family circumstances. May 2006, Bruno Amoussou had a stop in Montreal for his children, Gilles and Olivier, students in Canada. Olivier and Gilles straightforwardly asked the right question to their Dad who always has an overloaded timetable. «Dad, as we are lucky enough today to have you with us, tell us a bit and more about who you are, and what you did. » It was the click. Bruno Amoussou complied, narrated his story and finally decided to write about himself, about what he has seen, done and suffered.

The structure of the book is modeled on the process of memory. The first chapters are related to a family investigation: his father, Ange Marie Balovi Amoussou, catechist valiant peasant and his mother Philomène Fangnon trader and especially pearls seller, his experiences at school and university, his years of militancy, decolonization, his first years in the political arena.

Bruno Amoussou talks about all his comings and goings, his trips. He gives details about his experiences and his commitments. It is two hundred (200) pages of memories, anecdotes and revelations. He provides us with a tasty and bitter series of political facts, which are a new confirmation that the 60’s has really been hectic in Dahomey. Regarding these episodes, the historical background is well organized and the truth comes out as bubbles of oxygen. The pleasure of reading is high and each reader will make up his or her mind about the role of these years’ majors actors: Christophe Soglo, Hubert Maga, Sourou Apithy Migan, Justin Ahomadégbé, Emile Derlin Zinsou, Biokou Solomon, Edmond Dossou-Yovo, Alphonse Alley, Maurice Kouandété, Philippe Aho, Téophile Paoletti, Jean Videhouenou, Nicéphore Soglo, Moïse Mensah, Albert Tevoédjrè, Expédit Viho, Adrien Degbey, Marius Akuesson and the author himself, Bruno Amoussou.

However, Bruno Amoussou falls short of talking about the years marked by the military regime of Mathieu Kérékou and Benin history beginning from the National Conference of Active Forces in 1990, which is the starting point of Beninese democratic era. The author neither mentions his influential role under the two terms of Mathieu Kérékou from 1996 to 2006.

Bruno Amoussou’s biography

Born in 1939, engineer in agronomy, Bruno Amoussou was the son of a peasant. Brilliant student, he was quickly noticed and continued his studies in Porto Novo, capital of Dahomey, then at the National Institute of Agronomy in the 1960’s, decade of decolonization in Black Africa.

This period marked his entry into politics. Modest first, he became the Association of Dahomey Students’ President in 1962. Therefore, he met African figures such as Kwame N’Krumah, the Algerian leader Ahmed Ben Bella, on different occasions, which pushed him gradually towards the front of the stage.

Current leader of Benin Social Democratic Party (PSD), Bruno Amoussou was Benin National Assembly Speaker from 1995 to 1999, then Planning and Development State Minister in Mathieu Kérékou’s government until 2005. Candidate in the last three presidential elections, he is an influential player on the political scene in Benin and Africa.

After the March 2006 presidential elections which he lost, Bruno Amoussou and his Party has now belonged since March 2008 to the opposition coalition G4 that intends to oust Boni Yayi in 2011.

Benin Politics : THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF YAYI'S INAUGURATION

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Controversial assessment of a three-year rule

April 06, 2009 has marked the third anniversary of Boni Yayi's inauguration as the third Benin Head of State since the advent of democratic era in 1990 and the celebration was an occasion for the presidential camp to assess its three-year rule.

The MPs of the ruling FCBE and the whole Government were convened to a conference at Palais du Congrès in Cotonou on Sunday, April 05, 2009 where mainly the Prospective and Public Action Minister, Pascal Iréné Koukpaki made a briefing over the state of Benin economy, the achievements and its future prospective.

In the report that Mr. Koukpaki read to the audience, he emphasized the Government's efforts on services, logistics, trade and transports, cotton textile, food agriculture, infrastructure, culture, tourism and arts. Each of these areas has benefited from the Government's efforts. Over seventy (70) billion of FCFA has been invested in road construction with the results as building of major infrastructures including the road lines Godomey-Calavi, Kétou-Ilara and crossings. Three (03) billion and one (01) billion FCFA, respectively, were allocated to arts and Aid Fund to culture. On social front, over five (05) billion FCFA has funded micro-loans and employment.

Efforts were also made in the area of security, diplomacy, education. In terms of total revenue within three (03) years, over two hundred (200) billion FCFA of growth were recorded, of which one third is devoted to salary costs. Nevertheless, this situation should be moderate this year because the estimated revenue will be down by fifteen percent (15%). Despite this, the potential for development of the country remains preserved and the Head of State holds the reins, reassured Pascal Iréné Koupaki.

However, not everybody agrees on that positive assessment of Boni Yayi's three-year rule. The opposition coalition made up of G4, G13, and Force Clé and critics in the media do not hold the same view as the ruling camp about the first three years of Boni Yayi's term in office.

According to the opposition, all the decisions, which the Government carries out, are implemented precipitously without due preparation, planning, and careful oversight of the executed actions. It is the same criticism, which is voiced over all the main issues regarding the administration of public affairs. Whether it is about education, healthcare, security, micro finance, macro economy, Government relations with the other intuitions mainly with the National Assembly and with the opposition, the different initiatives are taken in haste. This does finally more damage than good.

In a letter, whose title is «The major lies of Boni Yayi and his government» issued by Benin Communist Party on April 02, 2009, the leader of this political party, which is not represented in the Parliament, accused Boni Yayi's Government of manipulating and misleading the people.

For the Communist Party of Benin, «the measure of abolition of school fees was made before the arrival of Boni Yayi. It all started at the beginning of 1993-1994 by the removal, on foreign pressure, of school fees for girls in rural areas. The measure was subsequently extended to boys, always in rural areas and then from 2000-2001 to all school-aged children, regardless of gender and area of residence. Any agitation, on the part of, Boni Yayi and his political family in this matter is an awkward lie and a notorious trickery»

The letter also regrets the Government policy about education program, healthcare system, loans to finance the construction of major infrastructures, the management of State finances, the management of revenues from customs escort, the management of State owned public enterprises, traditional rule and concludes by arguing that the promised change is yet to be delivered.

In his column issued on April 08, 2009, the well-known columnist, journalist, and historian, Jérôme CARLOS questioned the meaning of this promised change: « How worthy is free schooling if it serves to promote problematic citizens? What will the fate of the most efficient infrastructures be if there is nobody to care for them as responsible citizen? A balance sheet is quantitative. The change assessment is qualitative. That is all the difference. » To him, «…change is less the sum of the accumulative quantity of what one has achieved than the efforts of one another to change ourselves and make ourselves able to change our country. »

Alfred Cossi Chodaton
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : EXAMINATION OF DRAFT LAWS ON OMBUDSMAN AND HAAC

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Missing second parliamentary secretary blocks

The session convened yesterday to discuss draft law establishing Government Ombudsman and draft amendments to the articles 11, 16, 18 and 35 of the Organic Act on the High Authority of Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) could not start. The official reason put forward by the Speaker of National Assembly is the absence of the second parliamentary secretary, Amissétou Affo Djobo. For the opposition PMs, it is nothing but a political machination.

Political maneuvers have certainly triumphed over the need for the plenary to be held last Tuesday at Palais des Gouverneurs in Porto-Novo. The noticeable absence of the second parliamentary secretary, Amissétou Affo Djobo is the cause of this blockade. The Speaker of National Assembly had once again to announce a further postponement of the second session that has enrolled in its agenda, inter alia, the draft law establishing the Ombudsman, and the draft law amending articles 11, 16, 18, and 35 of the Organic Act on the HAAC. The importance of these laws explains what is at stake in this examination. The latest upheavals in parliament came to add to the climate of suspicion between both camps. Opposition PMs, with their newly gained majority are eager to start the scheduled examination on this legislation to bring forth their wishes. While the presidential camp, more prudent, seems to be dragging its feet in order to have time to see clearly in the new situation created by the last recorded defection in their camp. This is how the opposition explains the successive adjournments of this meeting, which have recently been occurring in the Parliament.

Indeed, according to the provisions of the Parliament Regulatory Statute, no meeting can be held without the presence of at least a parliamentary secretary. However, the first parliamentary secretary, Joachim Dahissiho was known to be unwell for some time. He even put forward a letter to Parliament to inform the plenary of his absence from the chamber. His correspondence was read to the plenary a few days ago. Moreover, he would have even provided to the Speaker a certificate proving his state of health. It was therefore logical that the second secretary makes herself available for the session not to be blocked. Nevertheless, she had not turned out knowing that the first secretary is absent. It is only around 4 p.m. that the Speaker had made its entry into the chamber to announce the meeting should not be held because the second parliamentary secretary was sick. «For unavailability of the second secretary, the plenary was postponed to Thursday, » said the Speaker Nago to the PMs. As it should be expected, this drew strong reactions. According to the opposition, the second parliamentary secretary voluntarily did not turn out since the day before she was at Palais des Congrès to celebrate the Government's third anniversary. Even assuming that she is actually sick, they wonder when the Speaker was aware of this to announce it to the MPs at 4 p.m., while he himself has been present since 10 a.m. The conclusion was quick to be drawn. «The Speaker is haunted by the loss of the majority, » said an opposition PM who explains that «the blurred game of the presidential camp is not to examine the draft on HAAC to allow the appointment of its members on the basis of the former law granting three (03) seats to the Head of State and three (03) to the Executive Board of the Parliament and three (03) to media professionals. » Opposition MPs also see in this postponement, the unwillingness of the Speaker Nago to read the letter of resignation of a MP who defected from FCBE thus getting the presidential camp into trouble in the Parliament. It is said the next Thursday; another agenda is to be scheduled. It would be on the protection of personal data.

Fortuné AGUEH
Translated by Alfred Cossi Chodaton
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : FREE CESAREAN IN BENIN

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Decision welcome with mitigation

Due to be effective on April 01, 2009 in forty-three (43) hospitals in the rural area, the measure of free caesarean had its first day of implementation in Benin amidst a situation of shortage of basic material supplies and qualified personnel, on the ground.

Boni Yayi made this promise during the 2006 presidential and since in office, has been finding out a way to implement the measure. After three (03) years of rule and two (02) years ahead of the next presidential elections schedule to take place in March 2011, he has finally made it although there are serious reservations about the way the decision is being implemented.

Taken during a Cabinet Meeting in March 2008 and reactivated again a year later on the sidelines of the celebration of International Women's Day in March 2009, the measure of free cesarean delivery was effective on April 01, 2009 but only in hospitals which are eligible to receive deliveries that can not be made naturally. In most of these eligible hospitals, which are located in rural areas, the implementation of the measure is effective but causes a lot of rush and a sharp increase in the average number of women who undergo cesarean section before giving birth.

At Suru-Léré Hospital, a suburb hospital, the unique medical center eligible in Cotonou city, at 6 p.m. four (04) cases of women who gave birth by caesarean section have already been recorded while two others emergency cases have been waiting to undergo surgery. Questioned, the Head of this suburb hospital stated that the daily average number of women who undergo cesarean section to give birth is three (03).

The measure is unanimously welcome but most of the professionals in the healthcare sector show a mitigated reaction. Most of them expressed dissatisfaction about the way the measure has been implemented in the different medical centers. They complain that the Government has not considered their demands before making this decision.

On the eve of the day when the decision was due to be implemented, the healthcare Union in a communiqué, commends what it calls «…the noble and praiseworthy Government’s initiative which is an important step towards maternal and neonatal mortality reduction…. » However, it deplores that the implementation of such an important decision, in a context marked by the lack of medical equipments and related supplies as well as by the shortage of quailed professionals, raises doubt about its success. Moreover, there are many demands of wage increase which remain until now unanswered.

Benin healthcare system has regularly been hit by strikes because of poor work conditions in the sector. The Government has promised to do all it could to improve work conditions in healthcare sector but the workers think that this improvement was a prerequisite to the success of this decision regarding free cesarean.

In addition to this lack of human, financial, and material resources, health professionals emphasized the need for a clearly outlined policy in an official manual of instructions, which can serve as guideline in the implementation of this decision as well as an executive ministerial order defining the framework in which the decision has to be implemented. According to them, the actors involved in the implementation of the decision are not sensitized enough since there is no clarification about the beneficiaries and about the care of the child born under cesarean section.

Critics in the media also blame the Government for implementing such a decision without planning, method, proper sensitization of the public, and the prerequisites, which it has to meet foremost. In fact, the measure has triggered a lot of confusion in public since many are not aware that the measure does not involve all the medical centers.

Furthermore, the Government only subsidizes part of cesarean related charges. The Government pays one hundred thousands (100.000) f CFA for each cesarean section leaving the remaining charges to the patient. One columnist, Jérôme CARLOS who is also known as a historian, raises doubt about the credibility of the Government by asking, « is there gratuity or can one talk about gratuity if the initiative of the Government, yet praiseworthy, is nothing but the payment of a part of the cesarean cost? In fact, what is gratuity? The dictionary answers: characteristics of something that is given without payment or that one enjoys without payment as counterpart»

Criticisms over the Government’s handling of the measure regarding free cesarean are similar to ones that have already been voiced about other several decisions. Opposition, ordinary citizens, and analysts, all agree that, although there is on the part of the Government, the willingness to confront the challenges facing the nation, the precipitous manner, in which these problems are being taken on, aims at impressing rather than really solving them. Whether it is about free education, Government response to workers’ demands, micro finance, fight against corruption, agriculture policy, and many different issues, public as well as analysts voiced the same criticisms, which can be summarized in one word: hastiness.

Alfred Cossi Chodaton
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : RB PROTESTORS TOOK TO STREETS

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Militants ask for a quick and reliable investigation

On Thursday, April 02, 2009 responding to the call from their leaders, thousands of RB (Rebirth of Benin in French, Renaissance du Bénin) militants and sympathizers turned out in Cotonou streets to utter their indignation over what they see as several attempts aiming at intimidating them.

They also intended to claim their resolution to keep up the fight alongside the positive political forces of the country for the preservation of the February 1990 National Conference of the Active Forces achievements.

The RB militants took to the streets after an attack on the Party headquarters on March 19, 2009 and the statements of both Candide Azannaï, a former RB MP and Ganiou Soglo, current Culture and Sports Minister accusing some the RB leaders of being behind the assault which, according to them, was made to incite people’s sympathy.

For the BR militants and sympathizers such statements, that they see as very provocative, could not be left unanswered. As if the response of Oliver Paraïso to Candide Azannaï on Monday, March 30, 2009, accusing him of being motivated by ministerial ambitions, was not enough, RB militants thought they needed to send a signal the public authorities in charge of security and made clear to them the attack on their Party headquarters could not go unpunished.

Dressed in tee shirts with the Party symbols and slogans or wearing red armbands, echoing the airs of the band chanting militant songs, RB activists marched from Place de l’Etoile Rouge across Avenue du Canada, Cadjèhoun Mosque crossroad, Bon Pasteur Cathedral, Père Aupiais College, Sciences Faculty then reached the Ministry of Interior and Public Security.

It was an impressive mobilization of RB activists with a folk of motorcycle taxi drivers and with banners that bore inscriptions such as, "The RB says no to intimidation and violence", "The RB reaffirmed its membership to the G13, G4, and Force Clé coalition"

At the Interior Ministry, they voiced their demand for justice through a speech, which was read by one Délonix Kogblévi.

He emphasized the resolution of the RB militants to preserve the achievements of February 1990 Conference, and the improvement of Beninese living conditions. Delonix Kogblévi did not fail to express the sympathy, solidarity, and support of RB militants to their fellows who were the victims of the attack, namely John Paul Vieyra and Robert Amoulé. While reaffirming their unwavering commitment to Party ideals and firm support for its leadership, RB activists demand an impartial and credible investigation on the attack.

On receiving the motion of protest, the Interior and Public Security Ministry Chief Staff, Abassi Aley said that he gets their message and he will report it faithfully to his superior. According to him, the investigation, that is under way, will continue, as it should. «The authors of this burglary and these acts of violence will be found and punished accordingly. Better, be still and trust justice. », he said to RB activists.

Alfred Cossi Chodaton
alf2chod@yahoo.fr

Benin Politics : MP CHABI DARE

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MP resigns from the ruling FCBE

Chabi Daré was a parliamentarian of the ruling FCBE (Cowries Forces for an Emerging Benin, in French, Forces Cauris pour un Bénin Emergent), which is the presidential alliance set up in the eve of the 2007 legislative elections. He is said to have abandoned FCBE and joined G13. G13 is part of the opposition alliance intending to oust Boni Yayi in 2011.

This resignation is the second from the ruling FCBE. One FCBE former member, the parliamentarian Zoumarou Wallis did the same recently.

However, according to the rumors, there are more resignations to come and more departures from the FCBE to the opposition should be expected, as the divisions within FCBE ranks are deep.

Chabi Daré is said to complain about the exclusive focus of the Head of State on 2011 presidential contest, which, according to him, does not allow him to care for the fate of his own supporters. For him, Boni Yayi has all the time been busy trying to win over opposition partisans neglecting those who always remain faithful to him.

Some analysts in the media suggest that Chabi Daré was bribed into joining the opposition with thirty (30) million CFA francs.

Since the beginning of the democratic era, defection of PMs from one party to another has been common but resignation from a ruling Party is not something common in Benin.

During the 2006 presidential campaign, Boni Yayi has promised to fight malpractice and help restore ethics in Benin politics. Many have hoped that he would commit himself to the fight against what is called in Benin politics «political transhumance» but amazingly, the practice seems to be flourishing under his regime as many opposition partisans who leave their parties are welcome within the presidential camp. This time round, it is the ruling FCBE which records defection from its own ranks. Is it unfair?

At the National Assembly, on Thursday, April 02, 2009, two (02) G13 MPs, Rachidi Gbadamassi and Sacca Fikara alleged that the new comer in the alliance, MP Chabi Daré is under threat. For both, a demonstration is due take place against him in his hometown, Kandi and some habitants intend to attack his house. According to them, Chabi Daré’s wife was taken to the presidential palace.

If this defection is confirmed, it will be a serious blow to Boni Yayi, who is getting increasingly vulnerable.

Alfred Cossi Chodaton
alf2chod@yahoo.fr