Government and Politics of Benin

Government Type

republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991

Administrative Divisions

12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou

Legal System

based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 April 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: Patrice TALON reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Patrice TALON 86.3%, Alassane SOUMANOU 11.4%, Corentin KOHOUE 2.3%

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections: last held on 8 January 2023 (next to be held in 2027) Election results: percent of vote by party - Union Progressiste le Renouveau (UP le Renouveau) 37.6%, Bloc Republicain (BR) 29.2%, Les Democrates 23.8%, other parties 9.4%; seats by party - Union Progressiste le Renouveau 53, Bloc Republicain 28, Les Democrates 28

Judicial Branch

Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice

Political Parties

African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA]; Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and four small parties); Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties

Head of State

President Patrice TALON

Head of Government

President Patrice TALON

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Elections

last held on 8 January 2023 (next to be held in 2027)

Election Results

percent of vote by party - Union Progressiste le Renouveau (UP le Renouveau) 37.6%, Bloc Republicain (BR) 29.2%, Les Democrates 23.8%, other parties 9.4%; seats by party - Union Progressiste le Renouveau 53, Bloc Republicain 28, Les Democrates 28

Constitution

Dec-90

Independence

1 August 1960 (from France)

National Holiday

National Day, 1 August (1960)

International Organization Participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MICAH, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50 FAX: [229] 30-06-70

Capital City

Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government)

Location

6 29 N, 2 37 E

Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

the name Porto-Novo is Portuguese for "new port"; Cotonou means "by the river of death" in the native Fon language

Embassy Cotonou Address: The Embassy is located at Rue Caporal Bernard Anani in Cotonou. The Embassy's mailing address is B.P. 2012, Cotonou, Benin. Telephone: The 24-hour telephone numbers are (229) 21-30-06-50, 21-30-05-13, and 21-30-17-92. Facsimile: (229) 21-30-66-82.

Military Branches

Benin Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin Air Force (Force Aerienne du Benin, FAB)

Service Age and Obligation

18-35 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; a higher education diploma is required; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months