The Beninese justice announced this Wednesday, the day of the visit of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, to Cotonou, about thirty opponents arrested during the presidential elections of April 2021 who had been marred by violence.

The Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (Criet) “released and placed under judicial control this afternoon thirty people detained for crimes committed during the electoral period,” said a source close to the prosecution.

“There is in particular one of our vice presidents in the person of Paulin Dossa, the former minister Houdou Ali and the young militant and activist Nadine Okounmassou,” confirmed a Les Démocrates party official.

“I’m fine in my boots”

This statement comes at the time of President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Cotonou, who met with President Patrice Talon in the middle of the day.

During a joint press conference, the Beninese president stated that there were no “political detainees” in Benin, responding to a question from a French journalist who asked him if he intended to release two opponents sentenced at the end of 2021 to harsh prison sentences. .

“I’m in my boots,” said the Beninese president, adding, however, that he does not rule out “acts of grace or amnesty” in the future.

President Macron made no mention of condemnations or democratic backsliding in the West African country during his public statements, despite numerous calls from human rights organizations and part of the French and Beninese opposition.

The two heads of state, however, claimed to have discussed political issues during their private exchanges, without giving further details.