General elections and constitutional revision in Benin: Daniel Edah appeals to ECOWAS and the AU

La suite après la publicité

In an open letter to the two regional institutions, the former presidential candidate in Benin addressed the conditions under which the 2026 general elections will be organized and the constitutional revision that followed.

In his correspondence, the president of the Mouvement “Nous le ferons” noted that a significant portion of our citizens now believe that ECOWAS and the African Union have abandoned their fundamental missions: defending democracy, good governance and stability, principles they nevertheless proclaim as essential.
 
“Yet, I remain convinced that the ideal of a prosperous, peaceful and well-integrated Africa, supported by strong regional and continental institutions faithful to their commitments, is not out of reach. It is in this solemn and clear‑eyed spirit that I take the liberty of writing to you,” he says.

Daniel Edah recalls that ECOWAS and the African Union cannot be limited to observing or commenting on decisions that contradict their own standards, thus calling on them to react to what is happening in Benin. Read the full open letter below.

Letter from Daniel Edah

To the Presidents of the ECOWAS Commission and the African Union Commission
 
Your Excellencies, Mr. Presidents,
 
If I were to heed the deep disenchantment expressed by many of my compatriots – those who no longer expect anything from your institutions’ ability to fulfill their mandates – I would not be writing to you.
 
A significant portion of our citizens now believe that ECOWAS and the African Union have abandoned their fundamental missions: defending democracy, good governance and stability – principles they nevertheless proclaim as essential.
 
Yet, I remain convinced that the ideal of a prosperous, peaceful and well‑integrated Africa, supported by strong regional and continental institutions faithful to their commitments, is not out of reach. It is in this solemn and clear‑eyed spirit that I take the liberty of writing to you.
 
The Republic of Benin is preparing to hold three major elections in 2026. 
 
After the submission of candidacies for the presidential election of 12 April 2026, as well as for the communal and municipal elections of 11 January 2026, the National Assembly adopted – during the night of 14 to 15 November 2025 – a constitutional revision extending the duration of all elective mandates from five to seven years and establishing a Senate.
 
This revision – significant both in scope and in its implications – was adopted less than six months before the elections.
 
Beyond the public outrage caused by the power outages that occurred precisely during the vote – outages that many believe favored an irregular process – the central problem remains uncontestable: the electoral framework was modified after the validation of candidacies, in clear contradiction with ECOWAS standards and the fundamental principles of electoral law.
 
To dispel any ambiguity, I set out below the applicable legal provisions.
 
LEGAL FRAMEWORK – References and Implications
 

1. Binding Instrument of ECOWAS

Protocol A/SP1/12/01 on Democracy and Good Governance (21 December 2001)
Article 2(1)
“No substantive reform of the electoral law shall take place within six (6) months preceding an election, except with the consent of a broad majority of political actors.”
 

1. Legal situation in Benin

• Constitutional revision adopted after the submission of candidacies
• Extension of all terms to seven years
• Creation of a Senate

Implications :

1. Possible invalidation of candidacies already accepted
2. Violation of the principle of stability of the electoral framework
3. Breach of equality among political actors

 
III. Possible consequences

1. Internal: process irregularity, increased litigation, compromised legitimacy
2. ECOWAS: warnings, verification missions, sanctions (suspension, financial measures, non‑recognition
    
   Your Excellencies, Mr. Presidents,
   The legal texts exist. The commitments are explicit. The violations are evident.
   ECOWAS and the African Union cannot be limited to observing or commenting on decisions that contradict their own norms. 
   You have the responsibility to ensure their respect in the name of the principles our States have freely adopted.
   In accordance with the 2001 Protocol, I respectfully request:

• an urgent review of the conformity of this revision;
• the publication of your findings, and
• the adoption of appropriate measures if a violation is established.

 
Please accept, Your Excellencies, Mr. Presidents, the expression of my highest consideration.
 
Daniel EDAH
Former presidential candidate
President of the Mouvement Nous le Ferons