Benin is poised to see its outgoing president, Patrice Talon, hand over the reins to his chosen successor, Romuald Wadagni, as the country grapples with a mix of economic prosperity and security threats. Wadagni, the 49-year-old finance minister who has held the post for a decade, is expected to secure victory in Sunday’s elections. The north of the country, however, is experiencing a surge in jihadist attacks, casting a shadow over the nation’s otherwise booming economy.
Talon’s presidency has been marked by economic growth that has made Benin an appealing destination for investors and tourists. Yet, his administration has faced criticism for curbing political opposition and freedom of expression. Despite this, Wadagni, who is backed by the ruling bloc, is facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge from Paul Hounkpe, a former culture minister and a moderate candidate. Voter turnout is anticipated to be a crucial factor, with many in the economic capital, Cotonou, expressing indifference, viewing the election as a foregone conclusion.
Hounkpe, a teacher and ex — mayor by training, has been described as “steeped in experience “by his supporters, but his campaign has been somewhat muted. His candidacy required the sponsorship of ruling party lawmakers, a fact highlighted by elections expert Rufin Godjo. “We have a very strong candidate, a well-known financier, running against another who was chosen by those in power just to maintain appearances, “Godjo observed.
The election comes on the heels of a failed coup attempt in December, when soldiers attempted to oust Talon. The bid was swiftly thwarted, and the incident has been largely forgotten by most Beninese, who prioritize dialogue over conflict, according to political analyst Franck Kinninvo. The Democrats, the main opposition party, were barred from running in the election after failing to gather enough signatures, and its members have largely endorsed Wadagni.
Security remains a significant concern, particularly in the north, where jihadists have targeted soldiers, leading to the army’s deadliest year in 2025, according to ACLED, a conflict monitoring NGO. The situation is exacerbated by neighboring countries, such as Burkina Faso and Niger, where military juntas have adopted a policy of sovereignty, often at odds with Benin’s close ties with Western powers, especially France.
Wadagni, educated in the United States and France, aims to maintain these Western relations while also seeking to restore dialogue with Niger to combat the jihadist threat. He plans to continue the focus on infrastructure projects and tourism, particularly historic sites related to the slave trade. His campaign style has been more casual, and he has vowed to tackle deep poverty, particularly in rural areas. “He represents a new generation of leadership, less about rhetoric and more about impact, “said Lucien Fayomi, a Wadagni supporter.
Despite the apparent inevitability of Wadagni’s victory, the political analyst Godjo warned of potential frustrations among those without a candidate. Talon, 67, has indicated his intention to step back, but analysts predict he will remain closely involved in shaping his successor’s legacy. “Talon won’t be as rude as to give instructions to the new head of state but he will ensure that what he put in place will not be dismantled, “Godjo concluded.
Source: Africanews
Original author: AfricaNews
