President Boni Yayi was re-elected in March, amid protests by opposition parties that
compilation of the electoral lists meant that a significant proportion of the electorate
was excluded. The rising prices of basic commodities led to some social unrest. In
May and June civil servants went on strike over salary claims.
In March, security forces dispersed demonstrations by opposition supporters contesting
the re-election of President Boni Yayi. Some demonstrators, including member of parliament
Raphaël Akotègnon, were briefly held in police custody.
In August, Benin took an important step towards abolishing the death penalty after
the National Assembly voted in favour of ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The ratification process
was not completed by the end of the year.
Prisons remained overcrowded. The prison in the city of Cotonou held six times its
capacity, resulting in harsh conditions. Official detention figures showed that of
the 2,300 inmates held, 99 per cent were in pre-trial detention.
