1August st 2023 : Nostalgic citizens speak out

Benin celebrates August 1 2023 its accession to national sovereignty. A few days before the celebration of this national holiday, some citizens give their opinions on how to commemorate the event today. Many Beninese are nostalgic for the festivities of a few years ago.

Independence Day commonly known as “Ablodegbadja” yesterday and today makes a big difference. This is what emerges from the reactions of the ordinary citizen. In previous years, everyone lived the party to the fullest. Even at a week already, there was a presentiment of the arrival of a glorious feast. The streets are whitewashed and the different strata of society rehearse the scales for the parade on August 1. “The whole population was excited at the idea of ​​going to the parade or watching it on television,” says Achille Minmitondé, a little disappointed with what is being done these days. Paul Z. Akplogan, retired teacher revives the celebration of a certain era. " In the past, during independence we witnessed the parade of civilians, good ladies, peasants with their field products. As well as the Zemidjan (motorcycle taxi drivers) and the Vespas. But today it is clear that this is not the case., the State has eradicated all these parades to limit the waste of money” regrets this retired teacher. Diving back into history, This sexagenarian will make reminders. " During the revolution, everyone was invited to the party. As for the arrival of President Nicephore Soglo in power, the party was selective. But when Kérékou arrived, everything was back to normal.. And in the time of Yayi Boni, he was able to restart the party in all the departments for a total accessibility to the party by the population. On the other hand, with our current president, the party is almost reserved for the armed forces,” he says.. Another detail is raised by Jacques, about fifty. "In the past years, there was the presence of several Presidents of neighboring countries who attended our party but this is no longer the case since the arrival of this regime” he says nostalgic.

Today, with the break, the celebration is limited to the military parade and some sporadic actions at the level of the prefectures. These are according to him, the absence of these links which discourages citizens and forces them to no longer give importance to the celebration of August 1st in Benin. “Frustrated by this state of affairs, the population has become observers of this festival and the taste is no longer there, they generally think”.

Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)