Benin's former president leaves country amid political crisis

COTONOU, June 23 (AFP): Former Benin president Thomas Boni Yayi left the country on Saturday for health reasons, a spokesman for his party said, after two months of political crisis following controversial elections in April.

Boni Yayi, who had been under effective house arrest in northern Benin, left after "his health deteriorated rapidly", Noureni Atchade, spokesman for his Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE) party, said in an interview with Radio France Internationale without giving details.

His surprise departure came after weeks of tension between President Patrice Talon and his predecessor.

Protests first erupted in Benin after April 28 parliamentary elections. At least two people have died in clashes with police who resorted to gunfire.

The crisis has stoked concerns of an authoritarian turn in a country once seen as a democratic example in the region.