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| Protesters barricade the streets of Cadjehoun the stronghold of former president of Benin Thomas Boni Yayi in Cotonou after violence broke out following controversial parliamentary polls held without a single opposition candidate. |
Benin ordered the European Union ambassador
Oliver Netten to leave the country by December 1 accusing him of engaging in
what it termed as “subversive” activities in the country.
Government spokesman Alain Orounla, who spoke
at a press briefing on Wednesday, told journalists that bilateral cooperation
has been hampered by Netten’s alleged activities.
“An ambassador’s functions presuppose an
obligation of courtesy towards the authorities of the host country. Respect for
this obligation should be mutual,” Orounla said.
A senior diplomat, who spoke to AFP on
condition of anonymity, accused Netten of interfering too much in domestic
affairs and constantly calling on civil society to hold protests against the
government.
The diplomat divulged that Netten, a German
envoy, had received a number of warnings from Benin’s foreign minister over his
alleged activities.
The order for Netten to leave Benin was
confirmed by a spokeswoman for the EU in Brussels, who said the order was
communicated to the EU on November 20.
The spokeswoman added that the bloc had
demanded clarification on the specific reasons for Benin’s decision but had not
yet received any response on the same.
Benin, regarded as one of West Africa’s
politically stable democracies, has been hit by a wave of protests following
controversial parliamentary elections in April. - AFP
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