Benin’s former finance minister Romuald Wadagni sworn in as president

Former Finance Minister of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, has officially been sworn in as the country’s president, succeeding his predecessor and former boss, Patrice Talon.

 

Wadagni, an economist widely regarded as a technocrat and a symbol of continuity with Talon’s administration, won the April 12 presidential election with 94 per cent of the votes.

 

He defeated his only challenger, Paul Hounkpe, whose party later aligned with Wadagni’s political platform in parliament.

 

Benin’s main opposition party, the Democrats, did not participate in the election after failing to secure the required endorsements and grappling with internal divisions.

 

Speaking during his inauguration on Sunday, Wadagni pledged to lead the country with integrity and commitment.

 

“I will serve Benin with integrity, courage and commitment,” Wadagni said.

 

“I will serve with the constant knowledge that power is never a personal privilege.”

 

The 49-year-old takes over leadership of the West African nation after a decade of economic growth under Talon’s administration, though concerns remain over inequality and worsening insecurity in northern Benin.

 

The country has recorded repeated attacks linked to jihadist groups operating across the Sahel region.

 

Following a constitutional amendment last year, Wadagni will serve a seven-year term instead of the previous five-year mandate.

 

Presidents in Benin are limited to a maximum of two terms.

 

During his 10 years as finance minister, Wadagni oversaw reforms that improved Benin’s public finances and reduced the country’s fiscal deficit to three per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

 

He also pledged to strengthen efforts against insecurity, particularly in northern Benin, where authorities have blamed attacks on extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda’s Sahel affiliate, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

 

“Benin will not give in to fear nor complacency. The government will be firm against all those who threaten our unity and security,” he said.

 

Wadagni is also expected to rebuild ties with neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, both currently under military rule and facing insurgency threats.

 

In a sign of improving relations, Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, attended the inauguration ceremony.

 

“I believe that it’s a new path that is opening. The most important is to work towards strengthening relations and find a way that we can work together,” Zeine said.