COTONOU, Benin (AP) — Nearly 30,000 people demonstrated in Benin’s capital to back the opposition’s call for local elections.
The local elections were supposed to take place in March 2013 and have been postponed because of issues with electoral lists. Officials have said they will take place before the end of 2014.
Opposition parties called the rally to press for the elections in the West African country. Opposition leader Oswald Homeky said Wednesday the country is at an impasse.
President Boni Yayi was elected in 2006 in a landslide vote and won re-election in 2011. Political tensions have been exacerbated by a surprise government reshuffle last year and a growing protest movement accusing Yayi of seeking to remove term limits to increase his time in power.
Presidential elections are slated in Benin for 2016.
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