Benin’s main opposition party announced Monday it would not support any candidate in next month’s presidential elections.
The Democrats party was barred from the April 12 polls after failing to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Earlier this month, the party suffered another setback when its leader, former president Thomas Boni Yayi, resigned for health reasons.
Administrative secretary Kamar Ouassagari announced the decision at a Cotonou meeting but said the party remained open to dialogue.
President Patrice Talon, who has ruled for a decade, will hand power to his chosen successor, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni.
Talon, 67, is constitutionally barred from running after two terms, leaving Wadagni to face just one opponent, Paul Hounkpe.
The Democrats also elected a new leader, Noureini Atchade, a former lawmaker calling for a revival of party influence.
“Atchade urged members to organise, form battle lines, and awaken the country, signalling a determined return to political engagement,” the statement said.
The party lost all 28 of its parliamentary seats in January, crushed by Talon’s bloc under a 20 percent vote threshold rule.
While Talon presided over strong economic growth, critics accuse him of limiting opposition rights and restricting basic political freedoms nationwide.
A deadly coup attempt on December 7 by army mutineers was swiftly suppressed with military support from Nigeria and France.
The Democrats vow to participate in upcoming elections, signalling continued resistance despite political marginalisation and the consolidation of Talon’s ruling influence.
