00:01Benin's former president, Thomas Bonillaï, is stepping down as leader of the opposition
00:06Les Démocrates party, citing health reasons.
00:10The 72-year-old said he wanted to fully dedicate this new phase of his life to rest.
00:16He says he'll hand over interim leadership of the party to its vice-presidents and governing
00:21bodies.
00:22But his departure comes at a critical moment for the party.
00:26Despite being Benin's main opposition, Les Démocrates don't have a single seat in parliament,
00:32after losing to President Patrice Talon's bloc in January's legislative elections.
00:38The party's candidate for April's presidential vote has also been rejected due to a lack
00:44of backing from lawmakers and mayors.
00:47Two-term president Talon is due to step down in April.
00:50His hand-picked successor, Romuald Wadagny, who's backed by the ruling coalition, is favoured
00:57to win the presidency.
01:00Bonillaï's son, Chabi, recently left Les Démocrates after being arrested in connection
01:04with an alleged coup attempt.
01:06has a Änd Gabriele's son.
01:08Let's do it to each other phone number of powers.
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