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Benin is holding a presidential run-off vote that pits the prime minister against a cotton magnate who was once accused of trying to poison the current president.
Lionel Zinsou, a French-born investment banker who was named prime minister last year, earned 28% of the first round of voting on March 6.
Patrice Talon, known locally as “the king of cotton”, came in second with 24% and has received support during the run-off campaign from other top finishers. Talon has denied plotting to poison President Thomas Boni Yayi and authorities permitted his return from France last October.
Boni Yayi is stepping down after two terms unlike some other African leaders who have extended their rule by amending their countries’ constitutions to remove term limits.
