Benin’s President Patrice Talon Is Sworn In

Patrice Talon was sworn in as president of the African state of Benin for a second term Sunday, after being re-elected last month amid controversy.

The investiture ceremony took place at the Charles De Gaulle Stadium in the capital of Porto Novo.

Speaking in his inaugural speech, Talon said he will be the president of all Beninese, adding that the elections and the misunderstandings or quarrels they generate are now a thing of the past.

Talon won 86.3 percent in the April 11 ballot, which critics said was biased in his favour after a crackdown on opposition leaders left most of them exiled or disqualified from running.

Several opposition representatives, including two candidates who were barred, were detained before or just after the vote in the West African state.

In March, opposition leader Reckya Madougou was detained, accused of plotting assassinations to prevent the election taking place, a charge her lawyer dismissed as politically motivated.

Soon after Talon’s victory, another opponent, Joel Aivo, was arrested and accused of “undermining the security of the state”.

In the lead-up to the election, two people were killed when troops opened fire with live rounds to clear an opposition protest blockading a major highway in the centre of the country.

Government officials say security forces responded after they came under fire.