Benin: Here are the personalities who will sit in the Senate

It's an open secret. In Benin, the constitutional reform of November 2025 created a new institution called the Senate. This state body resembles a "council of elders," whose main mission is to regulate public life, ensure mediation, and oversee the consolidation of democratic balance.

During yesterday's Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, July ^1st , several individuals were appointed to sit on this institution.

Paul Hounkpè, the unsuccessful candidate in the 2026 presidential election, was appointed

These are former ministers Alassane Seidou and Fortunet Alain Nouatin, Brigadier General Robert Gbian, Air Force Brigadier General Taffa Adam and Captain Albert Ezin Badou.

These men are high-ranking figures who have been in command of the country's Defense and Security Forces. They will therefore sit in the Senate alongside former President of the Supreme Court Ousmane Batoko, Raimi Amadou, unsuccessful 2026 presidential candidate Paul Hounkpè, former ministers Emmanuel Tiando, Pascal Irénée Koupaki, Adidjatou Mathys, Abraham Zinzindohoué, Sacca Lafia, and former mayor of Parakou Charles Toko.

List of ex officio members of the Senate

Let us recall that the ex officio members of this Senate are the former Presidents of the Republic (Nicéphore Soglo, Boni Yayi and Patrice Talon), the former Presidents of the National Assembly (Bruno Amoussou, Adrien Houngbédji, Antoine Idji Kolawolé, Mathurin Nago), and the former Presidents of the Constitutional Court (Elisabeth Pognon, Robert Dossou, Théodore Holo and Amouda Issifou).