Editor’s Note: Every Friday, WPR Senior Editor Robbie Corey-Boulet curates the top news and analysis from and about the African continent.
It has been clear for weeks that opposition leaders and outside observers were unlikely to quietly accept the results of this week’s legislative elections in Benin, which took place under highly unusual circumstances. In accordance with revised electoral rules, the opposition was excluded entirely, and only two parties were allowed to participate, both of them aligned with President Patrice Talon.
Given the pride Benin’s political class takes in its reputation for having a strong democracy, there was some speculation that Talon would, at the last minute, find a way for the opposition to participate. In the end, though, the vote went ahead Sunday without any major changes to the field of candidates.