Patrice Talon: A Constitutional Putschist Calling Out The Putsch In Niger

By Ambassador Omar Arouna, MBA*

Amidst the backdrop of African nations striving for democratic governance through transparent elections, the landscape was jarred on July 26, 2023. President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger found himself arrested, marking the inception of the nation's fifth military coup since its 1960 independence from France. This event, an affront to the spirit of democracy, received global condemnation, with international pillars such as the US, France, and ECOWAS, among others, raising their voices against this assault, thus heightening the 2023 Nigerien crisis.

However, the waters of international politics were muddied further when President Patrice Talon of Benin raised his voice against the coup in Niger, advocating urgently for the restoration of Niger's constitutional order and the reinstating of President Mohamed Bazoum to Power “by any mean necessarily including military intervention by the ECOWAS Army”. To those aware of the West African political milieu, Talon's stance bore a tinge of irony — akin to the proverbial "kettle calling the pot black".

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Scrutinizing Talon's governance since 2016 unveils maneuvers deemed antithetical to democratic tenets. John Campbell, representing the Council of Foreign Relations, highlighted in April 2021 how Talon has, over his tenure, systematically chipped away at Benin's democratic framework. He stands accused of suppressing opposition, commandeering the judiciary, and restricting media freedoms. Furthermore, Tyson Roberts' Washington Post analysis showcases Talon's establishment of restrictive electoral codes and overt suppression of political opponents. Such actions culminated in Talon's resounding victory in the 2021 elections, where he secured a staggering 86% of the vote.

Labelled as "constitutional coups", these tactics cleverly dilute democracy under the guise of legality. Disturbingly, these are not isolated strategies. Several African leaders, including Talon, have adopted this approach to covertly consolidate power, whilst ensuring the flow of international aid remains unhindered.

While military coups, like the one in Niger, are overt and palpable, the subtler "constitutional coups" like in Benin are insidiously corrosive.  Addressing only the overt manifestations without understanding the root cause is not the solution. Hence, as figures like Talon condemn military coups, it becomes imperative for the global community to critically assess their own records.

Indeed, the complexity of the situation is illustrated by events in Benin prior to the Niger incident. In March 2021, leading political figures such as Reckya Madougou and Joël Aïvo were arrested without clear justification. The arrest of the former Minister of Justice, Reckya Madougou, and that of professor and constitutionalist Joel Aivo, are particularly perplexing, given the distinctions awarded to the former, notably the "Woman of Courage Award" by the US State Department, and the merits of the latter. What's more, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has declared Madougou's arrest arbitrary and has been calling for her release for ten months. Such events, juxtaposed with Benin's legislative elections in January 2023 and Talon's presumed aspirations for a third term, paint a bleak picture of Benin's political future.

The narrative is clear — whether a coup is draped in military fatigues or wrapped in the cloak of legality, it remains a scar on the face of democracy. It's time for the global community to go beyond superficial condemnations and delve into the deeper intricacies shaping the future of democratic governance in Africa.

*Ambassador Omar Arouna is a former envoy of Benin to the USA, a Cybersecurity Technologist, International Relations and Africa market entry strategist and consultant