Beninese journalist Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè, publisher of the newspaper Olofofo, went missing in Abidjan on July 11, 2025. He had arrived in the Ivorian capital on July 8 to attend the first edition of the Ivoire Tech Forum, held from July 9 to 11.
But just three days before his scheduled departure on July 13, he suddenly disappeared. Concern grew among his close contacts, especially as his hotel room was reportedly vacated without a formal check-out.
Known for his critical stance against the regime of Benin’s President, Patrice Talon, the journalist had been living in exile in Lomé, Togo, since 2019, where he held the status of political refugee.
Faced with the silence of both Ivorian and Beninese authorities, his relatives had no choice but to raise a public alarm, calling for the urgent intervention of international organisations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
It was discovered that he had been repatriated to Benin when he was presented on Monday, July 14, before the judge at Benin’s Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET). The charges against him include “incitement to rebellion,” “incitement to hatred and violence,” “harassment through electronic communication,” and “advocacy of terrorism.” Afterwards, he was placed in pre-trial detention at the Ouidah civil prison.
This case sadly echoes that of Beninese digital activist Steve Amoussou, who was reportedly abducted in Togo and transferred to Benin where he was sentenced to two years imprisonment.
The MFWA calls on the Beninese authorities to immediately release Comlan Hugues Sossoukpè, drop all charges against him and put an end to the practices of abduction and arbitrary detention of journalists and activists.
