Latest news with #PatriceTalon
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Journalist critical of Benin president extradited from Ivory Coast
A Beninese journalist living in exile was arrested under circumstances described as a 'trap' by his legal team. Ivory Coast has arrested and extradited to Benin a journalist critical of the small west African country's president, the reporter's lawyers said late on Sunday. Benin was once seen as a thriving multi-party democracy but critics say President Patrice Talon, in power since 2016, has become increasingly repressive. Hugues Comlan Soussoukpe, the publishing director of online newspaper Olofofo, had been living in exile in Togo, where he has held refugee status since 2019, according to his lawyers. Soussoukpe's arrest At the invitation of Ivory Coast's digital transition ministry, he travelled to Abidjan on July 8 for an online innovation forum. On July 11, Benin's press began reporting that he had been arrested in the Ivorian economic capital and extradited. Soussoukpe's lawyer, Charlemagne Dagbedji, confirmed on Sunday that he had been arrested. He demanded that his client's 'fundamental rights be strictly respected' and accused Ivory Coast of inviting the journalist 'for him to then be captured by the Beninese authorities'. ALSO READ: Four Ivory Coast opposition figures barred from October presidential vote Soussoukpe's legal team said in a statement on Sunday evening that he had been imprisoned in Ouidah, south Benin. 'Professional assignment turned into a trap' Condemning the arrest and his extradition, Reporters Without Borders urged Benin to release Soussoukpe immediately. 'What was supposed to be a professional assignment turned into a trap,' added the press freedom watchdog, known by its French acronym RSF. Neither Benin nor Ivory Coast had commented on the journalist's arrest by Monday morning. Online activist jailed Benin has previously been accused of kidnapping online activist Steve Amoussou from neighbouring Togo. Amoussous was detained in August 2024 and in June this year handed a two-year jail sentence for criticising the authorities. NOW READ: Wanted in SA: New extradition request to get Gupta brothers back gains momentum
Korea Herald
22-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Benin's Talon says ECOWAS in need of urgent reform
ABUJA, Nigeria (AFP) -- Benin President Patrice Talon said on Saturday that the west African regional bloc is in trouble, citing stalled infrastructure projects and weak trade links as reasons for reform. He spoke at a regional economic summit of west African nations in Abuja ahead of a routine gathering of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). "ECOWAS is a perfect example of regional integration. Unfortunately, our ECOWAS is in crisis right now," he was quoted as saying in a statement by the Nigerian presidency. Talon singled out the 678-kilometer West African Gas Pipeline through Benin and Togo as a key example of regional dysfunction, blaming delays and poor coordination for its failure to deliver energy across borders. "This failure of regional cooperation wastes resources and undermines integration," he said, adding that Benin now imports gas from Qatar to meet local demand. "It is ridiculous." He also raised concerns over the West African Power Pool, which was designed to link national electricity grids in the region. Despite years of investment, the project is underperforming. "Unless we act decisively, I'm not confident it ever will," Talon said. Talon's remarks aligned with those of Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who said intra-regional trade in west Africa remains below 10 percent. "This low trade is not due to a failure of will but a coordination failure," Tinubu said. "The global economy will not wait for west Africa to get its act together, and neither should we." Talon also said that US President Donald Trump's "trade war" with the rest of the world "should be a wake-up call for all of us." The United States is "giving us a very important lesson -- they are fighting for their own interests," he added.
Qatar Tribune
23-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Economic Forum 2025 concludes with engaging dialogues and discussions
DOHA: The fifth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum 2025, held in collaboration with Bloomberg, concluded after three days of insightful discussions and idea exchanges, featuring over 3,000 participants and 125 speakers. The forum focused on the challenges shaping the future of the global economy. The forum was graced by the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who officially inaugurated the event under the theme 'The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy'. The opening ceremony was attended by President of the Republic of Benin HE Patrice Talon, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, a number of Their Excellencies ministers and officials representing various friendly and brotherly nations, ambassadors, senior officials, parliamentarians, economists, business leaders, media representatives, and delegates from regional and international organizations. Compared to the 20 memoranda of understanding signed in the previous edition, the 2025 forum saw the signing of 24 MoUs, reflecting the growing momentum and impact of the event. The forum's sessions tackled pressing economic, trade, and financial issues at both regional and global levels, including geopolitics, globalization, and trade, energy security, technological advancements, business and investment outlooks, and sports, entertainment, and tourism. These themes formed a comprehensive framework, showcasing the increasing intersections between politics, economics, technology, and culture in shaping the future of economic development. Over the past five years, the Qatar Economic Forum has established itself as a central platform bringing together decision-makers and experts to exchange perspectives on economic challenges and develop strategies for financial stability and sustainable growth. This year's edition boasted participation from heads of state, government officials, industry leaders, CEOs, investors, academics, and entrepreneurs worldwide, reinforcing its growing stature on the global stage. The forum further strengthened Qatar's role as a pivotal center for global economic dialogue, serving as a premier international platform for exchanging views on critical economic challenges and exploring pathways for growth and prosperity in an ever-evolving global environment.
Qatar Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
PM holds high-level meetings at QEF
QNA Doha President of the Republic of Benin Patrice Talon met on Tuesday with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, on the margins of the Qatar Economic Forum 2025. Throughout the meeting, they explored avenues for strengthening collaborative ties between the two countries, and exchanged perspectives on the topics listed on the forum's agenda, as well as a range of topics of mutual interest. The prime minister also met with First Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Levan Davitashvili, and Founder of Bloomberg Media Group Michael Bloomberg. During the meetings, they discussed cooperation relations between Qatar and Bloomberg, and ways to enhance them. They also exchanged views on topics listed on the Forum's agenda, as well as a number of topics of common interest. The prime minister also met with a British parliamentary delegation from the House of Commons and the House of Lords, led by Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury Mark Garnier, and included Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department of Health and Social Care MP Dr. Zubir Ahmed; Chair of the International Development Committee in the House of Commons MP Sarah Champion; Member of the House of Lords Lord Ross Kempsell. During the meeting, they discussed relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them. They also exchanged views on topics on the forum's agenda, in addition to a number of topics of common interest.
Qatar Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar, Benin sign six pacts to bolster ties
QNA Doha The State of Qatar and the Republic of Benin on Tuesday signed six joint cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), on the sidelines of the working visit of HE President of the Republic of Benin Patrice Talon to the country. The signed agreements and MoUs include: An agreement to exempt both countries' diplomatic and special passport holders from visa requirements, an MoU to establish a mechanism for political and diplomatic consultations, an MoU between Qatar's Ministry of Municipality and Benin's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries to cooperate in the fields of agriculture and food security, a cooperation agreement in the fields of education, higher education, and scientific research and an MoU on the mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates, along with an MoU to cooperate in tourism and business 15
