“It was Boni Yayi who alone was responsible,” Talon’s revelations about the electoral violence of 2019

During a media appearance on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, President Patrice Talon made revelations about Beninese politics.

“…it’s something I never wanted to bring up in such detail, because I think, as President Yayi Boni himself says, that this kind of intrigue can be handled without the public discovering the inside story, details that, to be honest, do not reflect well on us.

But I now feel compelled to say it, and let everyone hear me: But what happened in 2019, President Boni Yayi was the only one responsible. He prevented the normal holding of the elections, he prevented Les Démocrates from taking part in the elections (…) because he prevented consensual texts from being implemented to allow a peaceful election, he prevented the elections from taking place.

I took responsibility; I was seen as the one behind the electoral violence we experienced. But what is happening and continues to happen cannot allow me to remain silent indefinitely.”

Patrice Talon