Arrest of MP Soumaïla Sounon Boké: Les Démocrates denounce an authoritarian drift
The party Les Démocrates strongly reacted to the arrest of deputy Soumaïla Sounon Boké, arrested today in Cotonou while the National Assembly was in the middle of a parliamentary session.
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The incident occurred at the very moment the party was holding an official investiture ceremony for its candidates for the 2025 legislative elections.
In a statement released at the end of the day, the political formation denounced an “arbitrary” arrest, carried out in clear violation of parliamentary immunity and the fundamental principles of democracy.
« The arrest carried out without respecting the procedure provided for a sitting parliamentarian constitutes a serious obstruction to the freedom of political action », the document reads.
An arrest seen as political
The party Les Démocrates describes the act as “political” and demands the immediate release of the honorable Soumaïla Sounon Boké.
It calls on the government and the republican institutions to take responsibility for respecting the rights of elected officials and the free functioning of democratic processes.
Call for civic mobilization
Faced with what it considers a serious attack on the rule of law, the party calls on its activists, members, supporters and all of the nation’s active forces to remain vigilant and mobilize to defend democracy, justice and fundamental rights during this election period.