CPJ Urges Benin President: Safeguard Press Freedom, Reform Digital Code

• The Committee to Protect Journalists has urged Beninese President Romuald Wadagni to strengthen press freedom in a letter marking his first 100 days in office.
• The letter highlights Benin's deteriorating press freedom record, citing the July 2025 arrest and ongoing detention without trial of journalist Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè and his colleague Ali Moumouni.
• Sossoukpè, a publishing director for Olofofo Info, was forcibly extradited from Ivory Coast to Benin despite holding refugee status.
• CPJ also called for the reform of Benin's Digital Code, which has been used against journalists and was a concern raised by member states during Benin's 2023 U.N. Human Rights Council review.

The pattern of arrests, particularly those involving extradition and prolonged detention without trial, combined with the weaponization of the Digital Code, indicates a systemic issue that requires immediate and decisive action from the Beninese government.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has recently issued a strong appeal to Beninese President Romuald Wadagni, urging him to implement decisive measures aimed at safeguarding press freedom within the nation. This significant communication was delivered in a letter marking the President's initial 100 days in office, drawing attention to what the organization describes as a concerning decline in Benin's press freedom landscape over recent years. The CPJ's intervention underscores a growing international apprehension regarding the environment for journalists in the West African country.

A central point of concern highlighted in the CPJ's letter is the case of Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè, the publishing director for the online news platform Olofofo Info, a privately owned outlet. Sossoukpè was apprehended in July 2025, not in Benin, but in the Ivory Coast. Despite possessing refugee status, he was forcibly extradited back to Benin, where he has since remained in detention without facing trial. This incident exemplifies the severe challenges faced by journalists operating within or fleeing from Benin.

Further compounding these concerns, Ali Moumouni, a colleague of Sossoukpè, was also arrested just days after Sossoukpè's detention. Like Sossoukpè, Moumouni continues to be held without trial. These detentions form a critical part of the deteriorating press freedom violations that the Committee to Protect Journalists Benin is actively monitoring, signaling a worrying trend for independent media professionals in the country. The ongoing lack of due process for both individuals raises serious questions about judicial fairness and the protection of journalistic work.

Beyond individual cases, the Committee to Protect Journalists specifically called upon President Wadagni to undertake a comprehensive reform of Benin's Digital Code. This particular piece of legislation has been identified as a primary instrument regularly "weaponized" against journalists, effectively stifling critical reporting and online expression. The CPJ's demand for reform points to systemic issues within the legal structure that undermine fundamental rights.

The problematic nature of the Digital Code is not a new revelation; it has previously drawn international scrutiny. During Benin's most recent Universal Periodic Review in 2023, conducted before the U.N. Human Rights Council, several member states formally expressed their concerns regarding this specific law. These international objections underscore a consensus among global human rights bodies that the Digital Code, in its current form and application, poses a significant threat to freedom of expression and the ability of journalists to operate without fear of reprisal.

The continued use of this code to target media professionals, as evidenced by the detentions mentioned, suggests a pattern where legal provisions are exploited to suppress dissent rather than uphold justice. This situation creates a precarious environment for anyone involved in digital publishing or online commentary within Benin, highlighting the urgent need for legislative amendments that align with international standards for press freedom. The call for reform by the Committee to Protect Journalists Benin is a direct response to this perceived abuse of legal power.

The collective incidents and the sustained international attention paint a stark picture of the challenges confronting press freedom in Benin. The CPJ's letter to President Romuald Wadagni serves as a critical reminder of the responsibilities of the state to protect, rather than impede, the work of journalists. The pattern of arrests, particularly those involving extradition and prolonged detention without trial, combined with the weaponization of the Digital Code, indicates a systemic issue that requires immediate and decisive action from the Beninese government.

The deteriorating press freedom record, as highlighted by the CPJ, has far-reaching implications not only for individual journalists like Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè and Ali Moumouni but also for the broader democratic health of Benin. A free and independent press is a cornerstone of any democratic society, providing essential checks and balances and ensuring public access to diverse information. When journalists face such severe repercussions for their work, it inevitably leads to self-censorship and a decline in the quality and scope of public discourse.

Therefore, the appeal from the Committee to Protect Journalists is more than just a plea for specific reforms; it is a call for a fundamental re-evaluation of the government's approach to media and human rights. Addressing these concerns, particularly through meaningful reform of the Digital Code and ensuring due process for detained journalists, is crucial for Benin to reverse its current trajectory and uphold its commitments to international human rights standards. The international community, through bodies like the U.N. Human Rights Council, will continue to monitor the Romuald Wadagni press freedom record closely.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients with operations or personnel in Benin should assess the increased risks associated with digital communications and freedom of expression, particularly given the reported weaponization of the Digital Code. This development signals a need to review compliance frameworks and potential legal exposures for individuals or entities involved in publishing or online activities within the jurisdiction.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica