ARIWO !

Visit of the Head of State in France: Yayi Boni explains his vision of the development

[July 20th, 2007] On invitation of President Nicolas Sarkozy, followed by an important delegation of members of his government, President Yayi Boni paid yesterday Wednesday, July 18th, a visit of friendship and work to France.

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It was about 4:15 pm when the delegation of President Yayi Boni entered the yard of The Palais de l’Elysée. Both heads of state hold talk more than one hour. At the end of his visit President Yayi Boni declared to the press that his discussion with the French President concerned various subjects. The bilateral cooperation was the first subject approached by both heads of state Presidents Yayi and Sarkosy examined the French approach of cooperation between Africa and France.

They also made a survey on African integration policy and ways and means of eradicating poverty in Africa . President Yayi Boni asserted that we cannot eradicate poverty if we do not support the sectors which feed prosperity within the framework of western Africa  . The Beninese President evoked the case of the cotton. He said he drew the attention of President Sarkozy on the need for France to continue supporting African cotton producing countries as it had done in the past. Presidents Yayi and Sarkosy examined subjects concerning good governance, especially at this moment where the American congress is discussing the new policy concerning subsidy of farm produces.

President Yayi Boni expressed the wish for the heartfelt cry of African producers to be heard. Agreements of economic partnership were also approached by both heads of state. On this point, President Sarkosy promised to do all he can so that the question of development is taken into account in these partnership agreements.

Before being received by President Sarkosy, Yayi Boni received Mister Brice Hortefeux, the French Minister of the immigration, National identity and Co-development. Stemming from this meeting, French government will send to President Yayi Boni a proposition of agreements which the Beninese government will examine next month. In this respect, Mister Hortefeux is due to Cotonou in October.

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Translated by Binason Avèkes from a Le Matinal release of July  20th, 2007

Copyright, Blaise APLOGAN, 2007, © Bienvenu sur Babilown

Green March of the government in Benin

The new battle of Yayi Boni against corruption

  The President of the Republic, Mr Yayi Boni steered a peaceful march on Monday, July 16th, 2007, through the city of Cotonou with the aim of butting corruption out of the country....

An important mass of the population of Cotonou headed President Yayi Boni and his government walked across the roads of Cotonou to slander loud and clear the corruption which undermines the country. This peaceful march, according to the President of the Republic, testifies of the determination of the government to fight against this plague which hinders the development of Benin

From the President Palace by way of Ganhi area, the people followed Mr Yayi Boni for whom this march constitutes a symbol of union between all the children of Benin from north to south and east to West. The President congratulated the people for coming out massively in support of the march because, he said, it is the proof that they understand the meaning of the march.

" This march demonstrates our determination to strengthen a democracy which does not necessarily goes  together with poverty, laziness, anarchy but rather with well made job and obligation of result ", the President of the Republic emphasized. Yayi Boni, who, in case of success in the battle against corruption, also wished to build schools, hospitals and reach free medical care.  He also puts in parallel the rebuilding of the damaged roads of Cotonou with the success of the battle against corruption, and the promotion of due respect for public good.
Augustine Afouda[in Le Matinal of July 17th, 2007]

Translated by Binason Avèkes

Celebration of August 1st in Abomey

Announcement by President Yayi Boni of the celebration of August 1st in Abomey: Maxime Houédjissin’s shouting out.

Since his election as President of Benin, The so called Doctor in economy, Mister Yayi Boni never shows a great sense of prevision in his political decision which mostly are taken overnight, in sheer hastiness out of well thought preparation. This was the case of the announcements, some time ago, of free education in elementary school level and free medical care for children and so on ; announcements which’s hastiness generates more problems than it solves. By so doing, at best Yayi Boni can be taxed with inexperience; but it seems that beyond inexperience, Yayi Boni’s decisions are always politically ambiguous, if not demagogic ; though they seem to be taken in the interest of the people, unfortunately they are also devoted to the President’s own political glory. The present announcement of Abomey as the city were the forth coming celebration of Benin Independence day will take place comes under the same ambiguity. This is the legitimate reason of Maxime Houédjissin’s shouting out, a native of Abomey who so far was considered Yayi Boni’s proponent.

Taking advantage of his presence in the historic city of Abomey to launch the price of the cotton last Saturday, July 7th, the president of the Republic, Mister Yayi Boni, announced that it is the city of Abomey that is going to shelter the celebration of the 47th anniversary of Benin independence. In front of what he considered as sheer provocation, the former questeur of the Parliament, Maxime Houédjissin, as son of the city, thinks that it was made in the haste. So far, he said, he has been in agreement with the ideas of the Head of State, but on this particular point, he is anxious to show his first discord. He refuses that in spite of its position of historical capital of Benin, Abomey be used just for protocol sake.

Had he been really interested in the success of this feast, the Head of State would have announced it at least two years before, said the questeur of 2nd and 3rd legislatures. So, Mr Yayi Boni would have had enough time to set up a committee of renovation of the city, to restore its attributes of historical capital. As things are going on right now, he asked, what is going to remain in the population minds after the day of August 1^st? Nothing, he said. No single brick to remain, according to honourable Houédjissin, while the Goho square remains a memorable souvenir standing out with the passage of General Mathieu Kérékou on the occasion of the celebration of a feast in Abomey under his administration, he said. According to him, this decision was taken on a whim. As a rule, the celebration of the national holiday in a city has to contribute to its development through the construction of hotel infrastructures to welcome the guests who will make the movement, without counting roads and other practical capacities to give Abomey the face of a capital worthy of the name; a city capable of welcoming such an event. This is regrettably not the case at present. What can we make in 21 days and which can mark the celebration of this important event in the city of Houégbadjavi? Not that much answered Maxime Houédjissin; unless he added, the head of state is expecting through such a decision to sign a debt convention with the City of Abomey. By deciding to show the city under its present crumbling aspect if President Bony Yayi wishes to captivate the interest of financers, there is no inconvenience, Maxime Houédjissin said ironically, otherwise, only the effect of announcement, the ballet of machines and leading guests and the temporary knocks of distemper will stay in the memory of Houégbadjavi. «Abomey does not deserve it ", he concluded indignantly.

Christian Etèkpo

Translated by Binason Avèkes

Copyright, Blaise APLOGAN, 2007, © Bienvenu sur Babilown

Good governance and fight against corruption

Ministers of Yayi Boni declare their property

  A couple of weeks after their appointment in office, in the framework of the trend of Change, the 26 Ministers of President Yayi Boni, last Friday 29, declared their properties to the nation. It was at the presidential Palace in presence of the head of State, His Excellency Yayi Boni and the representative of the President of the chamber of account. This ceremony is in conformity with the ideals of good governance and fight against corruption advocated by the head of State. As for the ministers, at the end of their mandate in the cabinet, they have to submit a second declaration of property, so as to convince the people of their honesty in office. Under the former regime of Mathieu Kérékou the same requirement has been demanded to the ministers but it did not really prevent from misappropriation of billions of francs.

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Published by the Matinal

Translated by Binason Avèkes.

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Copyright Blaise APLOGAN, 2007