View source for 2019 Benin protests

{{Infobox civil conflict
| title       = 2019 Benin protests
| image       = [[File:Burnt cars in Cotonou, 1 May 2019.jpg|200px]] 
| caption     = Protesters burn cars during protests in [[Cotonou]] against results of election, 1 May 2019
| alt         =
| date        = February 26, 2019 – July 4, 2019
| place       = [[Benin]]
| coordinates =
| causes      = 
* Results of the [[2019 Beninese parliamentary election]]
* Opposition banned from participating
| status       = 
| goals        = 
* Resignation of [[Patrice Talon]] and free elections
* Reverse of electoral law
* Fresh general elections 
| result       = 
* Protests suppressed by force 
| methods      = [[Demonstration (political)|Demonstrations]], [[Riots]]
| arrests      = 
}}

The '''2019 Benin protests''' was a widespread popular uprising and post-election conflict after the opposition was barred from running in the [[2019 Beninese parliamentary election]] in [[Benin]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Protesters in Benin clash with police in post-election violence|date=May 2, 2019|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-benin-protests-idUSKCN1S81QK}}</ref>

==Background==
Pre-elections (February–April), demonstrators called for the scrap of a new electoral law, however, a violent crackdown quashed the protests easily. On 1 May, the results of the elections was announced, leading to small protests and rallies in [[Cotonou]] that evening.<ref>{{cite web|title=Benin protesters in violent clashes with security forces after polemic polls|date=2 May 2019|agency=AfricaNews|url=https://www.africanews.com/2019/05/02/benin-protesters-in-violent-clashes-with-security-forces-after-polemic-polls//}}</ref>

==Protests==
Tensions simmered when protests turned into [[riots]] after demonstrators came in their tens of thousands nationwide, throwing stones at tanks and the armed forces, who responded with [[Rubber bullets]], [[Water cannon]] and [[Live ammunition]] in [[Cotonou]], [[Porto-Novo]] and [[Parakou]], the three largest cities. 2 were killed over the next 10 days of violent protests. After the president [[Patrice Talon]] condemned protesters and the popular uprising, saying it will plunge the country into war, thousands took to the streets in June, the result, Police opened fire wounding several.<ref>{{cite web|title=Protesters in Benin clash with police in post-election violence|date=2 May 2019|agency=Al Jazeera|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/5/2/protesters-in-benin-clash-with-police-in-post-election-violence}}</ref>

Due to the lack of safety during demonstrations, protesters marches ended without notice.<ref>{{cite web|title=Benin: Soldiers shoot at protesters in post-election unrest|date=2 May 2019|agency=DWNews|url=https://www.dw.com/en/benin-soldiers-shoot-at-protesters-in-post-election-unrest/a-48581790}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Benin: Crackdown on protests and wave of arrests fuel tense election period|date=26 April 2019|agency=Amnesty International|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/04/benin-crackdown-on-protests-and-wave-of-arrests-fuel-tense-election-period/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Shots fired as post-election violence grips Benin|date=2 May 2019|agency=France24|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190502-benin-gunfire-protests-cotonou-boni-yayi-talon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=30 police officers injured in Benin protests|date=15 June 2019|agency=AfricaNews|url=https://www.africanews.com/2019/06/15/30-police-officers-injured-in-benin-protests//}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<div style="text-align: center;"><gallery widths="200" heights="140"> 
File:Protests in the Porto-Novo bridge, Benin, 25 February 2019.jpg|Protesters march on Port-Novo bridge on 25 February
File:Protests in Cotonou, Benin, 4 April 2019.jpg|Protesters march in Cotonou calling for free elections
File:Protests in Benin 3 March 2019.jpg|Barricades made as tires burn in protests
</gallery> 
</div>

==See also==
* [[2019 Gabonese protests]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Benin protests, 2019}}
[[Category:2019 protests]]
[[Category:Protests against results of elections]]
[[Category:2019 in Benin]]
[[Category:Protests in Benin]]