Former Benin finance minister Romuald Wadagni has officially assumed office as president of the West African nation, succeeding his predecessor and former boss, Patrice Talon.
Wadagni, an economist widely regarded as a technocrat and a symbol of continuity from Talon’s administration, emerged victorious in the April 12 presidential election.
He secured 94 percent of the votes cast, defeating his only challenger, Paul Hounkpe, whose party later aligned with Wadagni’s ruling party in parliament.
The main opposition party, the Democrats, was unable to participate in the election due to internal divisions and insufficient endorsements.
“I will serve Benin with integrity, courage and commitment,” Wadagni said during his inauguration ceremony. “I will serve with the constant knowledge that power is never a personal privilege.”
The 49-year-old leader now begins a seven-year term following a constitutional amendment last year that extended the presidential tenure from five years. Presidents in Benin are limited to a maximum of two terms.
Wadagni takes charge of a country that has recorded strong economic growth over the past decade, although concerns remain over widening inequality and insecurity in the northern region linked to attacks blamed on jihadist groups.
During his 10 years as finance minister, Benin reportedly improved its public finances and reduced its fiscal deficit by a third to three percent of GDP.
The new president also pledged to confront insecurity in the north, which has been linked largely 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,” Wadagni stated.
He is also expected to focus on rebuilding relations with neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, both currently under military rule and battling Islamist insurgencies.
Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, attended the inauguration ceremony, a development viewed as a sign of improving ties between the countries.
“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 told journalists.