President Patrice Talon’s second five-year presidential term comes to an end in 2026, and according to the current Beninese constitution, he can no longer run for office.
Former president Boni Yayi, now leader of the opposition ‘Les Democrates’ party has made his position unequivocally clear – there should be no third term for Patrice Talon.
He issued this warning on January 1, 2024 at his home in Cotonou, when party activists trooped to exchange New Year’s vows with Talon’s predecessor.
“This is an opportunity for me to solemnly declare to the world and to national opinion, in the name of our people and our God, that there will never be a third term or a third term in disguise in Benin,” Boni Yayi warned a crowd of overexcited militants.
The president of the ‘Les Democrates’ party called on the people to stand firm against any attempt at a third mandate for Talon.
Before making this declaration, the de facto leader of Benin’s opposition drew up a gloomy assessment of the governance by his successor. He denounced a form of governance that shows “neither compassion nor empathy towards populations already struggling with the daily difficulties of subsistence.”
Mr. Yayi denounced a form of governance fraught with conflicts of interest and corruption. The leader of ‘Les Democrates’ also criticised a form of governance based on “cunning and rage.”
The leader of Benin’s opposition also railed against opportunistic changes to the constitution and laws that jeopardise democracy.
Boni Yayi’s statements come after a December 26 meeting between the presidents of institutions and Justice Minister Yvon Detchenou. On that occasion, National Assembly President Louis Vlavonou called for a revision of the constitution.
“We who are here represent the entire nation. These are the institutions of the republic, and we are, as it were, a constituent assembly, because what is discussed here and what is done here is beyond our poor selves. It’s the total overhaul of the entire system that’s at stake,” Mr. Vlavonou declared.
President Patrice Talon reiterates at every opportunity that he has no intention of seeking a third term.
Referring to his last term of office in an interview with the local press, the Beninese president made it clear that “everything has an end”and that his stint as the country’s leader was no exception.
Benin’s constitution clearly stipulates that no one may serve more than two presidential terms in their lifetime.
The Beninese leader who came to power in April 2016, is due to leave office in 2026.
