Benin: Ganiou Soglo denounces a “shameful manipulation” of his father, the former president Nicéphore Soglo

“My father deserves respect, not instrumentalization”. These are the words with which Ganiou Soglo, son of former head of state Nicéphore Soglo, launched a message to the national and international public opinion. On the eve of Nicéphore Soglo’s 94th birthday, the first president of the democratic era of Benin, his son alerts on a series of images and public appearances which, according to him, no longer reflect the patriarch’s own will.

“For several weeks, images of the former president praising the achievements of President Patrice Talon have been circulating in the press and on social networks”, he laments.

Ganiou Soglo adds that “He is regularly solicited by the current authorities in circumstances that leave little room for his free will”. He believes that his father, weakened by age and fatigue, is no longer capable of freely expressing his thoughts, which opens the door to manipulations.

He gravely asserts that two journalists, identified as frequently accompanying the former president, would participate in a “instrumentalization for dubious media purposes”. He speaks of a “clear abuse of weakness” and a “disgraceful exploitation of an elderly person for shameful propaganda purposes”.

“Respect for the elders should never become a political tool”

Ganiou Soglo reminds that his mother, Rosine Soglo, left this world with dignity, and he insists that the same respect be afforded to his father. “I wish my father to be surrounded with the same respect and restraint,” he writes, not without bitterness towards “those who seem to forget the need to protect those who have given us so much”. In a statement, he issues a formal warning.

“I solemnly warn the aforementioned journalists and all their sponsors against any repeat of such acts; any individual or corporation attempting to exploit my father’s vulnerability; any authority trying to instrumentalize the Soglo family”.