Razacki Amouda Issifou has officially become the new Mediator of the Republic in Bénin. His appointment to this crucial public office follows the recent approval of an amendment to the law governing the institution, which took place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

This pivotal reform dictates that the duties of the Mediator of the Republic are now automatically assumed by the First Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council (CES). This legislative shift effectively discontinues the previous system where the Mediator was appointed through a separate process.

As the current First Vice-President of the CES, Razacki Amouda Issifou naturally steps into this significant role. He takes over from Pascal Essou, who had held the position since 2021. The National Assembly’s deputies formally endorsed this institutional transformation during a plenary session, highlighting its alignment with the ongoing efforts to enhance the functioning of Bénin’s republican institutions.

With a distinguished career in public service, Razacki Amouda Issifou brings extensive experience to his new responsibilities. A trained jurist, his background includes serving as Vice-President of the Constitutional Court, a deputy in the National Assembly, President of the National Assembly’s Laws Commission, mayor, and Secretary General of the inaugural National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA) in 1996.

The primary mandate of the Mediator of the Republic is to facilitate the amicable resolution of disputes that arise between citizens and the public administration. This office plays a crucial role in seeking consensual solutions, particularly when individuals believe they have been unfairly treated in their interactions with state services.