The surprise September 2024 arrest and subsequent conviction for coup plotting of his politically ambitious former business associate Olivier Boko was hardly reassuring for most Béninois (AC Vol 65 No 20 Talon turns on his allies)...
In 2024 the sacking of cousin and key adviser Johannes Dagnon and arrest of close business ally Olivier Boko – after their own presidential ambitions had become apparent – showed Talon's determination to maintain control (AC Vol 65 No 20 Talon turns on his allies)...
The Cotonou political class is in shock following the detention of Olivier Boko a close associate of President Patrice Talon and former sports minister Oswald Homéky amid allegations of a coup plot...
But the President also has to contend with the ambitions of unauthorised would-be candidates from within his own camp such as Olivier Boko his right-hand man who has officially managed his business empire while he has been in government...
Predominant in the cotton sector and also holding the crucial state import verification franchise Talon's commercial empire is by far Benin's largest private company managed by his trusted confidant Olivier Boko...
This has bought him support within his native south even if there is widespread dislike of his suffocation of political choice and media freedom and of the tentacular reach of his personal commercial interests managed by the trusted Olivier Boko...
This could exacerbate the deep resentment at the predominance of the President's business interests which have been managed since he took office by his close associate Olivier Boko who is sometimes dubbed 'le Vice-Président'...