POLICY

The nomination of Romuald Wadagni as the ruling coalition’s candidate for the 2026 presidential election marks a turning point in Benin’s political dynamic. Minister of State in charge of Economy and Finance since 2016, Wadagni has been chosen by Patrice…

In an interview with Daabaaru TV, former lawmaker Idrissou Bako announced that Force Cauris pour un Bénin Émergent (FCBE), after nearly ten years in opposition to Patrice Talon’s administration, is considering moving closer to the pro-presidential camp as the 2026…

The second extraordinary session of the National Assembly for 2025 will open on Monday, September 1, at 10 a.m. at the Palace of Governors in Porto-Novo. Two major items are on the agenda: the review and adoption of the National…

A few months ahead of the general elections scheduled for 2026, Benin’s religious denominations are gearing up to play a leading role in preserving peace and social cohesion. More than 400 delegates from the country’s twelve departments will take part,…

The Force Cauris pour un Bénin Émergent (FCBE) party has formalized a vote of no confidence against ten municipal councilors from Kandi who recently joined the opposition party Les Démocrates (LD).These councilors, originally elected under the FCBE banner, chose to…

The Beninese government is continuing its program to relocate residents and redevelop the east bank of the Cotonou lagoon. This Wednesday, a second group of displaced residents received compensation checks at the offices of Cotonou’s 3rd arrondissement, as part of…

The discussions between the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (Céna) and lawmakers on August 20 revealed a major disagreement over the requirement to indicate a governance agreement on the sponsorship form. The Director General of Elections, Boucary Adam Soulé, defended including…

The simmering crisis within Kandi’s communal council came to a head on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Eight communal councilors, including key figures in the local executive, were removed from office following a vote of no confidence held at city hall.…

Former Minister of Energy, Water, and Mines, Samou Seidou Adambi, has regained his place within the Republican Bloc. Suspended since January 2025 following his departure from government, he was officially reinstated on Sunday, August 31, 2025, during an extraordinary session…

A new step in Odile Ahouanwanou’s journey. The three-time African champion in the heptathlon and World Athletics Championships finalist has officially announced her entry into politics. She herself calls this decision “delicate,” especially in an African context where public stances…

The Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA), in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), opened a capacity-building workshop on Tuesday in Cotonou focused on protecting elections. The initiative, supported by Canadian Cooperation, aims to better…

Amid political tensions and heated debates, the Front Patriotique (FP) issued a strong call: the organization of a new national conference. Meeting on August 23 in Cotonou, the movement led by its general coordinator, Laurent Métongnon, voiced its “deep concern”…

The opposition party Les Démocrates (LD) reacted forcefully on Tuesday to the attempt to remove ten municipal councilors from Kandi, from the FCBE and UP-R, who had recently joined its ranks. At a press briefing in Cotonou, Boni Yayi’s party…

One year ahead of the general elections scheduled for 2026, lawyer and consultant Adégbola Franck Oké has sent an official letter to the Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). In this letter, he draws attention to certain…

As the 2026 presidential election approaches, the debate over candidate sponsorship continues to stir the Beninese political scene. Former minister and ex-political adviser to the Force cauris pour un Bénin émergent (FCBE), Alain François Adihou, has responded to the March…

The National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, recently amended, do not fully comply with the Constitution. This is the finding of a decision issued on August 8, 2025 by the Constitutional Court, following a referral by the president of Parliament. In…

The president of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA), Tidjane Thiam, intends to remain in the race for the presidential election scheduled for October 2025. After obtaining his certificate of nationality on Thursday, August 21, his candidacy file was…

The Prefect of Atlantique Department, Jean-Claude Codjia, decided to suspend two orders issued by the mayor of Toffo, Bibiane Soglo Adamazé. These orders, dated August 12 and 19, 2025, concerned the appointment of new chairs of standing committees within the…

A few months before the 2026 general elections, a Beninese legal expert sent a letter to the President of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In his letter, he draws the subregional institution’s attention to…

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara officially filed, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, his candidacy for the October presidential election. A long-awaited confirmation that opens the way to a fourth consecutive term, despite persistent political tensions in the country. Alassane Ouattara puts…

The Haute Direction Politique (HDP) of the Union Progressiste le Renouveau (UP-R) announced, on Monday, August 25, 2025, the temporary suspension of new memberships from the Bloc Républicain (BR). In a directive signed by the Secretary General, Gérard Gbenonchi, the…

In Kinshasa, the repercussion of the former Congolese president Joseph Kabila’s trial, which is being conducted in absentia, was spectacular. General Lucien René Likulia, a representative of the public ministry, demanded the death penalty for the ex-President on Thursday, accusing…

The Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) held a discussion on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, with the deputies of the National Assembly on a central topic of the Electoral Code: the sponsorship of candidates for the 2026 presidential election. While some…

Jacques Ayadji’s accusations against Edmond Agoua, whom he accuses of poaching activists, continue to provoke reactions. After the party’s clarifications, Ezin has stepped forward to set the record straight. During a press conference he organized on Wednesday, August 20 at…

In preparation for the 2026 presidential election, the National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA) on Wednesday invited deputies for a discussion session in Cotonou. The aim: to clarify the procedure for issuing endorsement forms to candidates and to reiterate the conditions…

The leadership of the Capable Generations Movement (MGC) has announced that its presidential candidate, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, will officially submit her candidacy on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 8 pm at the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). Supporters…

With less than a year to go until the 2026 Presidential election, the debate about the “post-Talon” era is intensifying in Benin. Invited onto the set of ESAE TV on Sunday, August 17, 2025, deputy of the 9th legislature and…

On the night of August 16 to 17, 2025, a bus from the STM company, bound for Niamey, veered off its path and plunged into the Ouémé river. The accident occurred around 00:30, on the Interstate Route No. 2, at…

The former civilian Prime Minister of Mali, Choguel Kokalla Maïga, was indicted on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, for “damaging public goods, forgery and use of forgery”. After a week in custody, he was brought before the investigative chamber of the…

On Sunday, August 17, 2025, the communal coordination of the Progressive Union Renewal (UPR) of Glazoué firmly responded to the remarks of Jacques Ayadji, president of Moele-Benin. He had accused Deputy Edmond Agoua of engaging in political poaching practices. Meeting…