National Assembly: 39 permanent staff downgraded, 13 others removed from the rolls

Fifty-two staff members of the National Assembly of Benin have had their administrative status altered by two decisions signed on September 3, 2026, by the institution’s president, Joseph Fifamin Djogbénou. Thirty-nine of them have lost their status as permanent staff, while thirteen others have been removed from the parliamentary civil service.

The two decisions are referenced as 2026-077/AN/PT and 2026-078/AN/PT. They annul several acts of engagement, regularization, and reinstatement made between 2021 and 2026. The documents cite the need for effective administration management and take effect from their signing in Porto-Novo.

The first decision affects 39 staff members from various parliamentary services. It annuls different administrative acts issued between December 2021 and January 2026. The individuals involved lose their status as permanent staff of the National Assembly.

This loss of status does not terminate their employment relationship with the institution. The contracts held by these staff members prior to their integration will be reinstated as of the dates of the annulled acts. They thus revert to their previous contractual situation.

The second decision impacts 13 staff members. It annuls two acts from December 2024 regarding reinstatement and regularization. The affected individuals are removed from the parliamentary civil service rolls but remain considered holders of an indefinite-term employment contract from the dates of the annulled decisions.

52 staff members remain in position but change status.

Both measures have a common consequence: the 52 staff members no longer benefit from the status that resulted from their integration into the parliamentary civil service, without being automatically dismissed from the National Assembly.

The status of parliamentary staff was reorganized during the eighth legislature. In November 2021, a decision established the status of parliamentary staff, followed by another decision on December 29, 2021, regarding the reinstatement of contractual staff into the parliamentary civil service. The National Assembly had then presented this reform as a measure to secure parliamentary employment.

The decisions of September 3, 2026, reverse several individual acts of integration, regularization, or reinstatement made since this reform. They do not abolish the parliamentary civil service itself.

The administrative secretary general of the National Assembly and the director of the questure are responsible for implementing the two decisions. For the thirteen staff members removed from the rolls, the terms of their continued indefinite-term contracts still need to be clarified by the administration.