Benin’s outgoing President Patrice Talon and his predecessor, Thomas Boni Yayi, are set to meet to defuse growing political tensions after the country’s main opposition party was excluded from next year’s presidential race.

The move, announced earlier this week, comes amid rising unease over the credibility of the April 2026 elections. The National Electoral Commission has approved only two candidates so far, rejecting the bid of the opposition’s representative on the grounds of insufficient endorsements.

The decision has sparked criticism from civil society groups and opposition supporters, who warn that the situation could undermine public trust in the democratic process. Disqualified candidates have 48 hours to appeal to the Constitutional Court before the final list of contenders is made public.

Political analyst Amzath Abdoulaye said that the planned dialogue between the two leaders could help calm tensions and rebuild confidence ahead of the polls.

“This meeting could mark a turning point if both leaders are sincere in their commitment to dialogue,” Abdoulaye said. “Benin has often managed political crises through discussion, and this could help the country move forward peacefully.”

–ChannelAfrica–