Frédéric Joël Aïvo (born 1973) is a prominent Beninese academic, law professor, and constitutional expert who gained international attention as a leading political opponent of President Patrice Talon. Once celebrated for his academic contributions to democracy and constitutional law in Africa, his life changed drastically after he attempted to challenge the incumbent president in the 2021 election, leading to his subsequent arrest and conviction.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Frédéric Joël Aïvo |
| Born | July 18, 1973, Porto-Novo, Benin |
| Key Occupation | Professor of Public Law and Constitutional Expert |
| Political Stance | Opposition to President Patrice Talon |
| Current Status | Incarcerated (Since April 2021) |
| Conviction | Sentenced to 10 years in prison in December 2021 by the CRIET Court |
| Charges | “Conspiracy against the authority of the State” and “money laundering” (charges he denies) |
| Academic Role | Former Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Abomey-Calavi |
Academic and Constitutional Expertise
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Distinguished Scholar: Joël Aïvo is considered one of the leading Francophone constitutional law experts in Africa. He holds a doctorate in law and has held positions as a Professor of Public Law at the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin.
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Constitutional Consultant: He served as an expert consultant for various international organizations, assisting in the drafting and revision of constitutions, supporting constitutional courts, and advising on electoral processes across the continent.
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Published Works: His scholarship includes highly influential works on African governance and constitutionalism, such as Le Président de la République en Afrique noire : genèse, mutations et avenir de la fonction (The President of the Republic in Black Africa: Genesis, Mutations and Future of the Function).
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Political Challenge and Persecution
Aïvo’s transition from academic expert to political contender came amidst a widely perceived democratic backsliding in Benin under President Patrice Talon.
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Presidential Candidacy (2021): Aïvo emerged as a leading figure in the opposition, deciding to run in the April 2021 presidential election. He advocated for a return to Benin’s strong democratic traditions.
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Disqualification: Like many other opposition figures, Aïvo was disqualified from running by the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA), with critics arguing that electoral laws had been manipulated to ensure President Talon’s re-election with minimal opposition.
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Arrest and Trial: Aïvo was arrested on April 15, 2021, the day after Talon’s re-election. He was brought before the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET), a special court that opposition figures and human rights groups allege is used as a tool for political persecution.
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Conviction: In December 2021, Aïvo was found guilty of “conspiracy against the authority of the State” and “money laundering.” He received a sentence of 10 years in prison and a large fine, charges he vehemently rejects as politically motivated.
International Concern
Aïvo’s imprisonment, alongside that of fellow opposition figure Reckya Madougou, has drawn significant international condemnation. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has deemed his detention to be without legal basis and a violation of his fundamental rights, urging the Beninese government to release him immediately.