By IRETI AL-SALAAM

BENIN Republic, Nigeria’s western neighbour is passing through a quiet turbulence that threatens to blow into full blown anarchy soon. Frustrated citizens of Benin Republic claim that “nothing is working including essential amenities like water, electricity including roads which are now luxuries.” All over the country, there are palpable fears of who would be the next victim as people are arbitrarily arrested and detained.

The country which is presided over by Boni Yayi is passing through a period of complete disregard for the constitution and the rule of law, they are arrested on trumped up charges and opposition to the president has become the order of the day. With these developments, political observers argue that, “dictatorship is fast creeping into governance in Benin and vindictiveness is reigning supreme”.

Opponents of President Yayi claim that “the president is confused”, with members of his government, party members in the National Assembly and other state institutions, including the grass root party supporters on the offensive and all spoiling for a show down with the president, who accuses them of being on “destabilization mission”.

Signs of discontent: The economy is in shambles, prices of goods and services are rising and unemployment is high, with late payment of salaries of civil servants. This is in addition to illegal deductions from their meager salaries. This has become common place in the troubled country. Already, the trade unions have called for a total strike since, but the country has been going through partial strikes and labour activism have been crippling the economy of Benin republic.

In fact, the country has been on strike since December 27, 2013. On December 27, 2013, the country’s trade unions joined forces to embark on a strike, asking for a revision of the employment examination which was conducted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The union leaders were beaten up and several of the striking workers who were on a peaceful demonstration were injured and hospitalized.

The unions were also asking for justice and transparency in the government’s fight against corruption and national unity, nepotism and regionalism are the order of the day in all of the government dealings.

Schools are partially in session, but parents fear a total paralysis of the education sector. Schools that are partially in session are being handled by teachers who are not full-time or confirmed employees of the state schools of education board.

President Yayi was recently caught on camera telling his country men that “he is watching what is going on in the country and he is watching everybody.” This has kept everybody on the edge, given the country’s culture of voodoo practice. Accordingly, people believe that he “sees what every one is up to, listening to what is being said about and he watches everyone in his palm” and no one dares to raise a voice.

He blows hot and cold with cynicism. He has refused to listen, but he keeps on talking and replying whoever does not agree with him. These threats were uttered when a group of youths went to pay him the traditional New Year homage.

Watchers of these developments in Benin argued that, “The president’s reactions are that of a person who is completely overwhelmed, in disarray and confused”. According to this group of people, “He does not know where or whom to turn to. His enemies are many, real or perceived. Like a caged animal, he roars”.

Demands of the Trade Unions: The President is at war with the labour unions who demanded that the government should:

Dismiss the Commissioner of Police and those who were responsible for the bloody disruption ordered the police to disrupt and bent-up the citizens who were on a peaceful march.

Review the conduct of employment examinations on behalf of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This is one of the initial and primary demands that led to the strike.

Pay back the deductions that the government made from the striking workers’ salaries.

Improve the working conditions and life of the citizens

With these, the trade Union insisted that strike will continue indefinitely and the unions will not negotiate unless their demands are met. Only recently, Belgian and French unions paid solidarity visits to their Beninese counterparts and pledged their support for the striking workers.

Workers who went to collect their salaries found out that deductions have been made from their salaries as they were determined to continue the strike which has been extended from 72 hours to the five working days.

To be continued…