Benin: former PM barred from elections

Benin’s former prime minister and leading opposition figure Lionel Zinsou has been barred from taking part in any election in the country for the next four years, after overspending on his 2016 presidential election campaign. He has also been ordered to pay a fine of $8,200. 

Unless Mr Zinsou successfully challenges the court’s ruling, he will not be able to stand in next year’s presidential election as planned. 

Mr Zinzou’s lawyer, Robert Dossou, told local media that the ruling was the work of his political rivals.

“Their aim is clear - they want to make Lionel Zinsou ineligible. Those in power want to push aside any credible potential candidate for the 2021 presidential election”, he said.=

Benin’s government has always denied interference.

Last month, Justice Minister Séverin Quenum told reporters that the country’s judicial system was not being abused for political gains. 

Photo: Reuters