The EU Ambassador to Benin, Oliver Nette, left the West African country on Friday as requested by the government. Nice had flown in the evening from the airport of the capital Cotonou to Brussels, informed an AFP reporter on the spot. The government of Benin had accused him on Wednesday to have participated in "subversive" activities.
Nice had repeatedly called on the population to protest against the government, a high-ranking Benin diplomat who wanted to remain anonymous had declared on Wednesday.
The former French colony was previously regarded as the most stable democracy in West Africa. However, since mass protests erupted following parliamentary elections in April, the country is in a political crisis. Observers see the danger that the country under the acting since 2016 President Patrice Talon transformed into an authoritarian state.
The EU is an important donor to Benin. Hundreds of millions of euros went into promoting good governance, agriculture and the provision of electricity. The country's economy has been weakening since neighboring Nigeria stopped all imports and exports in its fight against smugglers.