The day after the presidential election on April 12, Paul Hounkpe acknowledged the favorable trends for the Wadagni-Talata duo and congratulated his rival before the official results were announced. This gesture is in line with the Beninese democratic tradition. With an election that overall went smoothly according to ECOWAS and the platform of civil society organizations, this statement confirms the smooth conduct of the election and the atmosphere of calm.
Hounkpe acknowledges “his defeat” before the official results
On April 13, 2026, Paul Hounkpe released a statement in which he acknowledged the initial trends from the vote counts, favorable to the Romuald Wadagni – Talata duo.
“As a statesman committed to republican principles, respect for popular suffrage, and the stability of our country, I acknowledge, with responsibility, this dynamic as it emerges from the initial observations,” he wrote.
He extends his “republican congratulations” to Romuald Wadagni, with a stated conviction: “Democracy requires mutual respect and rising above partisan divides.”
In the same statement, Hounkpe makes a direct appeal to the future president: to draw inspiration from the main directions of his program regarding social justice, economic inclusion, institutional reforms, and national reconciliation. He concludes with a straightforward statement: “Beyond the electoral competition, only one requirement unites us: to serve Benin.”
A republican tradition that sets Benin apart
This is not the first time Benin has offered this type of sequence to the continent. In 2006, Adrien Houngbédji congratulated Boni Yayi as soon as the initial trends were known. In 2016, Lionel Zinsou did the same facing Patrice Talon.
Paul Hounkpe follows in this line, consolidating a rare political culture in West Africa, where peaceful post-electoral transitions remain more of an exception than the rule. In this dynamic of consolidating Benin’s positioning as a democratic model, the quality of the organization of the vote is a piece to add to the puzzle.
ECOWAS praises the smooth conduct of the election
The ECOWAS election observation mission was present on the ground on April 12. In the afternoon, they followed the voting process at the center of the Cadjèhoun Public Primary School in Cotonou, before heading to the WANEP situation room to observe the vote counting.
Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah, in charge of political affairs, peace, and security at ECOWAS, represented the head of mission H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo. He praised the good organization of the screening and the peaceful and serene atmosphere that prevailed throughout the electoral process.
1,771 observers, 98.85% compliance: civil society validates
The platform of civil society organizations, with 1,771 observers deployed in the field, described the election as “generally compliant” with legal standards.
Supported by figures: voter identification procedures were respected in 98.85% of polling stations. Security forces, present near 98.17% of the centers, carried out their mission without interfering in the voting operations.
The platform calls on the competent authorities to examine the few alerts recorded on the margins of the election, but its overall assessment is clear: this election was conducted according to the rules.
Wadagni leading in trends, official results expected on Tuesday
The trends from the vote counts place Romuald Wadagni in the lead in the vast majority of constituencies. Young voters, many of them first-time voters, were particularly present at the polling stations.
The official results from CENA are expected on Tuesday. Its president Sacca Lafia had previously stated that the vote constitutes “a fundamental act of the democratic pact.”
The African Union (AU) observation mission will hold a press conference this Tuesday to deliver its official evaluation of the Beninese presidential election held on April 12. Its conclusions are highly anticipated, following the initial positive assessments by ECOWAS and civil society.
