As Bénin anticipates the swearing-in of President-elect Romuald Wadagni this Sunday, May 24, 2026, outgoing President Patrice Talon addressed the nation. Having completed his two constitutional terms, a decade marked by significant political events including a thwarted coup attempt, the departing head of state reflected on his administration and urged continued dedication to public service.
In his address to the Béninese people, the president ushered in a new political chapter for the country while also recounting his journey at the helm of Bénin.
Patrice Talon extended his congratulations to President-elect Romuald Wadagni, who is poised to assume the nation’s leadership. “This Sunday, May 24, 2026, our President-elect, Mr. Romuald Wadagni, will take his oath to formally begin his duties. From that moment, he will undertake the delicate and inspiring mission of guiding our country towards greater progress and collective and individual well-being,” he affirmed.
He also conveyed his heartfelt wishes for the incoming head of state’s success. “I wish to reiterate my profound wishes for his great success in the actions he will undertake over the next seven years,” Talon emphasized.
Upon his departure, Patrice Talon presented a broadly positive assessment of his tenure. With evident emotion, he stated: “As I prepare to relinquish this responsibility, I wish to thank you wholeheartedly and express how proud I am of you for the demanding journey we have dared to undertake together over these past ten years—for the challenges overcome, the reforms implemented, and the major projects initiated to strengthen our state and align public action with its socioeconomic development.”
Acknowledging the hurdles encountered, he added: “Certainly, the path was not always smooth. Often, it was fraught with obstacles; yet, it was precisely this that gave it its unique character and galvanized us.”
The outgoing president believes that the concerted efforts have yielded tangible results: “Ultimately, we can observe, along with the rest of the world which consistently expresses its admiration, that we have come a long way. Our efforts and sacrifices are gradually bearing fruit.”
He commended this collective achievement, attributing it to all segments of the population. “This is to the credit of all of us, Béninese citizens from cities, rural areas, and even the diaspora, young and old,” he declared.
In a more personal segment of his address, Patrice Talon conveyed his profound gratitude: “To have served as the team leader in this remarkable endeavor, to have been at the service of our country, was an immense honor for me. Thus, my gratitude towards Bénin and towards each one of you is boundless,” he shared.
As he definitively closes the chapter on his presidency, Patrice Talon expressed unwavering confidence in the nation’s future.
“In passing the torch to President Romuald Wadagni, I wish to share my conviction that under his leadership, our country will make even greater strides towards fulfilling its destiny as a formidable Nation. To achieve this, I have no doubt that, fortified by our accomplishments to date and driven by an unshakeable resolve to go further, we will collectively rally around him and with him, in the superior interest of Bénin, to conquer vast new territories of progress that generate well-being, pride, and prosperity for all,” he concluded.
