Benin - April 2026
Ruling coalition candidate Wadagni wins presidential election
On 12 April, Benin held a presidential election. According to final results from the Constitutional Court on 16 April, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni—candidate of the ruling coalition of the Progressive Union for Renewal (Union progressiste le renouveau, UPR) and the Republican Bloc (Bloc républicain, BR), and outgoing President Patrice Talon’s chosen successor—won 94.3 per cent of the vote. His sole challenger, Paul Hounkpè of Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (Forces cauris pour un Bénin émergent, FCBE), conceded before counting ended. Turnout was 63.6 per cent. The main opposition Democrats party (Les Démocrates, LD) was barred after its leader could not meet endorsement requirements introduced under constitutional changes that also extended presidential terms from five to seven years. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mission reported a peaceful atmosphere, while the electoral commission acknowledged disturbances in northern border areas.
Sources: Africa Center for Strategic Studies, The Guardian, IFES, DW, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, International Crisis Group, Africa Confidential
