Benin votes for new president with finance minister favored to succeed Talon

DAKAR, Senegal — Voters in Benin went to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president as incumbent Patrice Talon steps down after serving for ten years. Talon leaves behind a legacy marked by economic growth, a rising jihadi insurgency in the north, and the suppression of opposition voices.

Romuald Wadagni, the 49-year-old finance minister and candidate for the ruling coalition, is seen as Talon’s chosen successor. His main challenger is Paul Hounkpè, the only opposition candidate in the race.

With nearly 8 million registered voters spread across over 17,000 polling stations, Benin, like many other African nations, has a predominantly young population. Polling stations are expected to close at 4 p.m. local time, with results anticipated within 48 hours.

Following a parliamentary election in January where the opposition failed to meet the 20% threshold required to win seats, Wadagni is widely expected to emerge victorious.

During Talon’s tenure, the country experienced significant economic growth, with Benin’s economy expanding by 7% last year, positioning it as one of the most stable economies in West Africa.

Despite Benin’s history of political stability, Talon has been criticized for using the legal system to suppress opposition voices, leading to arbitrary detentions, restrictions on public protests, and constraints on independent media outlets.

In recent years, protests against the high cost of living have been met with government crackdowns. Additionally, a failed coup attempt in December highlighted the security challenges facing the country, particularly in northern Benin where spillover violence from neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger has been a persistent issue.

The region continues to grapple with extremist violence, exacerbated by the lack of security cooperation among Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso, all of which are now under military rule.