2019 Benin protests

The 2019 Benin protests was a widespread popular uprising and post-election conflict after the opposition was barred from running in the 2019 Beninese parliamentary election in Benin.^[1]

2019 Benin protests
Protesters burn cars during protests in Cotonou against results of election, 1 May 2019
Date	February 26, 2019 – July 4, 2019
Location	Benin
Caused by	Results of the 2019 Beninese parliamentary election Opposition banned from participating
Goals	Resignation of Patrice Talon and free elections Reverse of electoral law Fresh general elections
Methods	Demonstrations, Riots
Resulted in	Protests suppressed by force

Background

Pre-elections (February–April), demonstrators called for the scrap of a new electoral law, however, a violent crackdown quashed the protests easily. On 1 May, the results of the elections was announced, leading to small protests and rallies in Cotonou that evening.^[2]

Protests

Tensions simmered when protests turned into riots after demonstrators came in their tens of thousands nationwide, throwing stones at tanks and the armed forces, who responded with Rubber bullets, Water cannon and Live ammunition in Cotonou, Porto-Novo and Parakou, the three largest cities. 2 were killed over the next 10 days of violent protests. After the president Patrice Talon condemned protesters and the popular uprising, saying it will plunge the country into war, thousands took to the streets in June, the result, Police opened fire wounding several.^[3]

Due to the lack of safety during demonstrations, protesters marches ended without notice.^[4][5][6][7]

Gallery

• 
  Protesters march on Port-Novo bridge on 25 February
• 
  Protesters march in Cotonou calling for free elections
• 
  Barricades made as tires burn in protests

See also

• 2019 Gabonese protests