2026 presidential election: launch of “Bénin Uni et Solidaire”, a platform to rally support around the Wadagni – Talata duo

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To the applause of a room won over to its cause, the platform Bénin Uni et Solidaire (BUS) was officially launched this Thursday, on the occasion of a gathering described as ‘historic’ by its organizers. At the podium, Christian Yénoussi, former interim mayor of the city of Cotonou and national coordinator of the platform, set the tone with a speech blending praise for the outgoing president’s record and a call to mobilize for the upcoming presidential election.

What an emotion to be here with you this afternoon! What an emotion to see you so mobilized for our country, so determined for its progress!, he launched, praising “a day of responsibility, a day of engagement” which, according to him, must “ensure the continuity for our country”.

A political turning point

In a context marked by the departure of President Patrice Talon, Christian Yénoussi stressed the need to organize the succession. Here we are today at the crossroads, he said, recalling that the head of state “is stepping down as he promised”. Faced with what he describes as an extraordinary challenge, the creation of BUS would have become an obvious necessity.

The platform clearly expresses its support for the duo formed by Romuald Wadagni and Mariam Talata. “It is with Romuald Wadagni at the helm of the Benin bus, and beside him Mrs. Talata, that we will negotiate this turn successfully”, affirmed the coordinator, praising the experience of the current minister of state in charge of the Economy and Finances.

No victory is assured

Disregarding any idea of a prearranged election, he warned against overconfidence: “Some say that the next elections will be a formality. They are wrong.” And he added: “Romuald Wadagni is not a man of ease. (…) We do not consider any victory as assured.”

Presented as a mobilization tool, BUS asserts a positioning complementary to political parties. “We are not competitors of political parties. (…) A bus does not choose its passengers according to their political creed”, insisted Christian Yénoussi, stressing that the platform intends “mobilize beyond partisan logics”.

A mobilization tool

Youth and women occupy a central place in the project. The promoters of BUS believe these two components are essential to building the national future and intend to offer them a structured framework for expression and action.

Already backed by the adhesion of 83 movements, the platform claims a solid national foothold. It aims to disseminate information about the candidate, develop strategies to win votes, and organize mobilization at the base.

With just a few months to the election, BUS thus aims to embody a dynamic of unity and gathering, with the stated objective of broadly rallying around the duo it supports.