Cotonou, Benin — As the clock ticks down to Benin’s presidential elections in less than two weeks, incumbent Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni and opposition candidate Paul Hounkpé have embarked on vigorous campaigns. Wadagni, favored to win, is facing a determined Hounkpé, who addressed supporters in Cotonou, emphasizing the intensity of the electoral contest.
Hounkpé, a seasoned politician, declared, “It’s a serious match, and I know that if nothing changes in the next two weeks, or if we had to vote today, we would be the winners.”His party member, Calixte Kounouvo, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for solutions to hunger, inclusivity, and the nation’s overall situation.
The upcoming April poll will mark the fifth democratic transition of leadership in Benin since the advent of multi — party democracy in 1990. The Democrats, another significant opposition party, were excluded from the polls due to insufficient signatures. Despite their initial reluctance to endorse either candidate, several senior Democrats have since thrown their support behind Wadagni.
Wadagni, chosen by outgoing President Patrice Talon, addressed thousands of supporters in Kandi, focusing on regional development and security concerns. Northern Benin has been addressing jihadist violence spilling over from neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger for years.
The situation was further complicated by a failed coup attempt on December 7, swiftly quelled by the military with support from Nigeria and France. The election unfolds against a backdrop of regional instability and internal political tensions, with the outcome expected to significantly impact Benin’s political landscape and its relations with neighboring countries.
Source: Africanews
