Benin declares EU ambassador Personae non-grata for meddling in domestic affairs
Benin has ordered the European Union’s ambassador to leave the West African tiny nation with immediate effect, citing his interference in domestic political affairs.
A statement from the president’s office confirmed the news on Wednesday.
The Beninese government reportedly gave the German-born diplomat Oliver Nette until December 1 to leave the country.
The office of Patrice Talon described Ambassador Oliver Nette as “harmful”, whiles reiterating that the country had nothing against the EU.
Later, on Wednesday, a government spokesman said that the cooperation with the EU had been “disturbed by the activities of this diplomat who has got involved in actions that we may consider subversive”.
“He has interfered too much in domestic affairs,” a senior Beninese diplomat said on condition of anonymity.
“He constantly calls on civil society to protest against the government.”
Jeune Afrique magazine cited sources in the government as saying that Nette “on several occasions and during various meetings” undermined the “legitimacy” of the current parliament, elected in April under a new, controversial election law. Benin has faced a crisis after a new election law excluded opposition parties.
The president of Benin’s constitutional court, Joseph Djogbenou, a Talon’s ally, said that while there were some “irregularities and disturbances” during the election, they were “still not of a nature to compromise the validity and transparency of the vote.”
EU spokeswoman confirmed that Nette had been asked to leave and said that Benin informed the European bloc of the decision one week ago.
“For the EU, nothing can justify such a measure in the generally good relations that have existed up until now between the EU and Benin,” she said, according to AFP.
In the last few months, several African countries have expelled EU diplomats, citing similar reasons. Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia have in the last few months thrown out EU ambassadors.
