Benin opposition rules parliamentary standing committee, to stop president's third term bid

Six members of Benin's opposition parties were elected to the parliamentary seven-member standing committee on Wednesday, a further blow to President Boni Yayi's hopes of pushing through a constitutional amendment to make way for his third term in office.

The six members of the opposition parties were determined to stop any debate on the amendment proposed by Yayi.

Although the president insists that the amendment will "restore the rule of law, reinforce Benin's democracy, and solidify the country's economic development", the opponents claim that it is part of his bid to break the presidential term limits.

In 2008, President Boni Yayi appointed a technical committee to review the country's 1990 constitution. It presented an amendment to parliament for debate one year later.

During the April 26 legislative elections, the ruling coalition Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin only obtained 33 seats out of 83 seats in parliament. Endi