Au Bénin, des gaz lacrymogènes dispersent une manifestation contre la vie chère https://t.co/ChdRJxXsYC
— La Croix (@LaCroix) April 28, 2024
Peaceful Assembly
Protests against high cost of living banned, protesters detained
On 27th April 2024, two protests against the high cost of living, organised by trade unions in Cotonou, were dispersed by security forces, who used tear gas to disperse small groups of people, who gathered despite the authorities’ banning of the protests. Over 30 protesters, including three trade union leaders, were briefly detained. Among those detained figured Anselme Amoussou, secretary general of Confédération des syndicats autonomes du Bénin (CSA-Bénin), Moudassirou Bachabi, the head of Confédération générale des travailleurs du Bénin (CGTB) and Noël Chadaré, secretary general of Confédération des organisations syndicales indépendantes du Bénin.
On 1st May 2024, trade union Confédération syndicale des travailleurs du Bénin (CSTB) organised another protest in Cotonou, which was again banned by local authorities. People who gathered were dispersed by security forces. According to organisers, 72 people were arrested, of whom 20 were released later in the day. On the same day, police were also deployed in the vicinity of the Bourse du travail, as four other labour unions were to hold a meeting there.
The demonstrations aimed at protesting against the steep increase in food prices as a result of the closure of the border with Niger and the end of the fuel subsidies in Nigeria.
Finally, a march planned for 11th May 2024 by trade unions was authorised by authorities. Thousands of people gathered that day in Cotonou to protest against the high cost of living.