Attempted coup in Benin: trade union confederations condemn a “serious violation of the constitutional order”

In a joint statement, the trade unions denounced an “extremely serious” act directed against Beninese democracy.

“We condemn in the strongest terms this act, which constitutes a grave attack on the constitutional order, on democracy and on social peace,” they state at the outset.

They note that this is the second attempt in little more than a year, an indicator, in their view, of “a worrying institutional and social fragility”.

For union leaders, Benin remains marked by the legacy of the 1990 National Conference, which established the choice of a pluralist democracy and respect for republican institutions.

“Any challenge to this historic achievement jeopardizes national stability and fundamental freedoms,” they warn in their statement.

The confederations also highlight the direct consequences that political crises and institutional breakdowns can have on workers and the public. They mention in particular “increased insecurity, the erosion of social cohesion and the paralysis of public services”.

In response, they urge the perpetrators of the attempted coup to “immediately abandon any destabilizing action”.

The trade unions also stress the already difficult situation of workers. “Faced with the high cost of living, stagnant wages and the absence of universal social protection mechanisms, they must not be the first victims of political instability,” they explain.

CSA-Bénin, CGTB and UNSTB also welcome the measures taken by the legal authorities to secure citizens and ensure the continuity of the state. They encourage the government to maintain and strengthen these actions.