PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY
Government prohibits political rally by Benin opposition party
On 9th February 2025, in Abomey-Calavi, Benin, the Republican Police prohibited a political rally organised by the opposition party Les Démocrates, as part of an accountability campaign launched by party members. The government representative, Mayor Angelo Ahouandjinou insisted that the party had not complied with required administrative procedures. The spokesperson for the opposition party, Guy Mitokpè, asserted that they had complied with legal requirements. This ban incited outrage among opposition lawmakers, who accused the regime of authoritarianism. No violence or injuries were reported. On 22nd February 2025, the Les Démocrates party condemned the ban and announced plans to pursue legal action against those responsible for the decision.
EXPRESSION
Media regulator suspends multiple media outlets
On 21st January 2025 in Cotonou, Benin’s High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) suspended several online media outlets and a daily newspaper. The suspended entities included Crystal-News, Reporter Benin Monde, Madame Actu (TikTok account), Les Pharaons, Le Patriote, and the newspaper L’Audace Info. The HAAC cited several reasons for these suspensions, such as operating without legal authorisation, accountability issues, ethical concerns in information handling, and repeated breaches of ethical standards. According to the HAAC, it plans to strengthen media regulation and encourage compliance with legal requirements. Additionally, the press card of L’Audace Info publisher, Mr. Romuald Alingo, was revoked due to alleged recidivism. On 20th May 2025, HAAC lifted the suspension on Le Patriote following informal appeals filed by Marcel Zoumenou, Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper.
Bénin Web TV suspended, director’s press card withdrawn
On 12th March 2025 in Cotonou, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) indefinitely suspended the privately owned news outlet Bénin Web TV and revoked the press card of its director, Paul Arnaud Deguenon. This action followed Bénin Web TV’s reports on 21st and 23rd January 2025 alleging inconsistencies in the HAAC’s 2025 budget presentation to parliament, including claims of “erroneous” figures and demands for a new official car. HAAC accused Deguenon of repeated baseless attacks and justified the suspension as a response to these offences. Deguenon was summoned to a public hearing at HACC’s Offices on 11th March, where HAAC ordered him to publish an apology, citing lack of evidence for the allegations. Bénin Web TV defended its reporting as fact-based and transparent, providing correspondence with HAAC.
On 20th May 2025, following a review of appeals and reports concerning Deguenon’s public apologies broadcast on 25th April 2025, the HAAC reinstated Bénin Web TV and returned Deguenon’s press card.
Benin journalist extradited, faces terrorism charges
On 10th July 2025, Ivorian police officers arrested Beninese journalist Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Olofofo, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where he has been living in exile since 2019. Following his arrest, he was extradited to Benin on 11th July 2025. On 12th July 2025, the Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET) commenced judicial proceedings against Sossoukpè, and subsequently transferred him to Ouidah prison. Sossoukpè faces charges of “incitement to rebellion”, “incitement to hatred and violence”, “cyberstalking”, and “praising terrorism.” Sossoukpè is known for his critical stance against the regime of Benin’s President, Patrice Talon. Front Line Defenders has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sossoukpè, and for the Beninese government to drop all charges against him.
This follows the 2nd June 2025 sentencing of Beninese digital activist Steve Amoussou to two years in prison and a fine of two million CFA francs (USD 3,500) for “politically motivated insult” and “spreading false information” linked to a Facebook page critical of the government. As reported previously by the CIVICUS Monitor, Amoussou was abducted from exile in Lomé in August 2024, and later charged with ‘harassment through electronic means’, and detained pending trial.
Abduction and prosecution of political activist over critical statement
On 6th June 2025 in Cotonou, members of the former OCRC (Central Office for the Repression of Cybercrime), arbitrarily arrested Julien Kandé Kansou, a young political activist and member of the communications team of the opposition party Les Démocrates, during a raid at his residence. According to one of Kansou’s lawyers, Kansou was arrested for making statements about an “electoral revolution” and criticising economic monopolies, which the Beninese authorities deemed problematic. On 12th June 2025, Kansou appeared before the special prosecutor of CRIET and was placed in pre-trial detention. He was accused of “publishing false news and harassment via electronic communication” in violation of the laws of the Digital Code. His trial began on 1st July 2025 but was adjourned to 14th October 2025. Les Démocrates condemned Kansou’s arrest, describing it as a violation of the right to freedom of expression and democratic participation.
Journalists arrested and detained
On 26th July 2025 in Cotonou, the national police arrested and detained journalist Djobo Bio of FM Nonsina following his publication of a Facebook report about a violent attack on a herder and his wife in Diadia village. Bio was subsequently detained at the central police station in Parakou, the regional capital. The CRIET charged Bio with spreading false information. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) condemned the arrest, and called for Bio’s immediate release. On 31st July 2025, the Public Prosecutor released Djobo and issued a summons for him to appear in Court in October 2025.
On 15th July 2025, the National Center for Digital Investigations arrested and briefly detained Cosme Hounsa, the editor-in-chief of La Boussole newspaper, following a harassment complaint filed by Minister Rachidi Gbadamassi. This arrest was prompted by Gbadamassi’s complaint concerning La Boussole’s politically sensitive report on a dispute between current Minister Paulin Akponna and former Minister Samou Séidou Adambi. Gbadamassi alleged that the report implied his role in instigating Akponna’s accusations against Adambi. Hounsa was charged with “harassment by electronic means.” On 17th July, Hounsa was transferred to CRIET and released on summons, pending further judicial proceedings. La Boussole issued a public apology to Gbadamassi, acknowledging the potential for harmful interpretations of its reporting.
ASSOCIATION
New law on associations adopted
On 22nd July 2025, Benin promulgated Law No. 2025-19 on associations and foundations. The new law regulates authorisation for foreign entities, establishes framework agreement procedures between the State and civil society organisations, and defines criteria for granting public utility status. The law also creates a register and associated journal for associations and foundations, requiring declarations of existence and regulatory entries. Articles 49 and 50 emphasise compliance with national laws and international conventions, mandate contributions to peace, social cohesion, and good governance, and prohibit political activities or incitement to violence, with violations punishable by imprisonment and fines. Furthermore, associations have a nine-month transition period to comply, ending in April 2026.
Civil society has criticised the new law because they were not consulted or involved in its drafting. They point out several shortcomings, such as the exposure of association members to detention and criminal sanctions in cases of noncompliance with their obligations under the new law.