Cotonou, Benin — Less than two weeks remain until Benin’s presidential election, as incumbent Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni and opposition candidate Paul Hounkpé initiate their campaigns. Wadagni, widely favored, confronts Hounkpé, a seasoned politician who addressed supporters in Cotonou last Friday.
Hounkpé stressed the intense nature of the race, declaring, “It’s a serious match, and I know that if nothing changes in the next two weeks, or if we had to vote today, we would be the winners.”Calixte Kounouvo, a member of Hounkpé’s FCBE party, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the campaign’s focus on addressing issues of hunger, inclusivity, and the nation’s overall situation.
The upcoming poll in April will signify the fifth democratic change of leadership in Benin since the introduction of multi — party democracy in 1990. The Democrats, another prominent opposition party, were excluded from the polls after failing to secure adequate signatures. Despite initial declarations of neutrality, several senior Democrats have since endorsed Wadagni.
Wadagni himself rallied thousands at a stadium in Kandi, focusing on regional development and security concerns. Northern Benin has been impacted by jihadist violence spilling over from neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Additionally, a December 7 coup attempt by army mutineers was swiftly quelled with support from Nigeria and France. Despite these challenges, legislative and local elections were held the following month, with President Patrice Talon’s ruling bloc effectively eliminating the opposition from parliament. Talon, who has served two five-year terms, is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, and Wadagni, his hand-picked successor, is now seeking to continue the leadership.
Source: Africanews
