Everyone knows it. Patrice Talon and Boni Yayi have had a difficult relationship in the past. In 2012, the current president, who was then just a businessman, was accused of attempting to assassinate Boni Yayi. This political and legal saga ended in 2014 when the native of Tchaourou granted Patrice Talon his pardon.

This act, which seems to stem from a spiritual height, allowed the current leader to return to the country to run for President in 2016.

Boni Yayi, since 2016, has been working "with great energy to thwart all reforms"

Having won the election that year, Patrice Talon took the presidency, and Boni Yayi joined the opposition. Since then, the former leader has been working "with great energy to thwart all reforms (of the new regime), whatever they may be, and all political action, regardless of the sector." These accusations come from President Talon.

He expressed these views during an interview with the national press yesterday, Tuesday, November 4th. According to Mr. Talon, there is a "petty war" between himself and President Boni Yayi. And this petty war "is poisoning the political and social environment in Benin. It is even poisoning peace, tranquility, and harmony" in the country, the Beninese leader maintains.

He wishes to leave the political scene in 2026, along with President Boni Yayi, for the good of Benin. "I eagerly await the 2026 elections (so that) we can leave the political scene. I would like him (Boni Yayi) to also leave the political scene and, ideally, for us to meet in a council of elders to give advice, to make arbitrations… Our relationship is detrimental to Benin," declared Patrice Talon.

Banning former presidents from engaging in politics

The head of state is even in favor of passing a law to ban former presidents from engaging in politics. "I will ask Parliament to pass a constitutional law to prohibit Talon, Boni Yayi, and Soglo from doing politics. It is becoming imperative for Benin. If the Beninese people learn to forget us tomorrow, things will change very quickly in the country, faster than we think," the Beninese president asserts.