The former Finance Minister of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, has officially assumed office as the country’s president, succeeding his predecessor and former superior, Patrice Talon.
Wadagni, an economist widely regarded as a technocratic figure aligned with continuity in governance, secured victory in the April 12 election with about 94 percent of the votes.
His only challenger, Paul Hounkpe, was decisively defeated, while his party later formed an alliance with Wadagni’s political movement in parliament. The main opposition party, the Democrats, was excluded from the race due to insufficient endorsements and internal disputes.
In his inauguration speech, Wadagni pledged to lead with integrity, courage, and dedication, stressing that political power is a responsibility rather than a personal privilege.
He takes office at a time when Benin has experienced steady economic growth over the past decade, though the country continues to face challenges including inequality and rising insecurity in its northern region linked to jihadist activity.
Having served as finance minister for several years, Wadagni is credited with strengthening public finances and reducing the national deficit significantly.
As president, he has vowed to prioritize both economic stability and national security, particularly in addressing attacks attributed to extremist groups operating in the Sahel region.
He also emphasized the importance of improving relations with neighbouring countries, including Niger and Burkina Faso, which are currently governed by military administrations and have experienced tensions in recent years.
The inauguration was attended by regional leaders, including Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, signaling a possible easing of diplomatic tensions in the region.
