As Bénin anticipates the swearing-in of President-elect Romuald Wadagni this Sunday, May 24, 2026, outgoing President Patrice Talon has addressed the nation. Having completed his two constitutional terms, a period notably marked by a thwarted coup attempt, the departing head of state reflected on a decade of governance, urging for the continued momentum of public initiatives.
In his address to the Béninois people, the president ushered in a new political chapter for the country while also recounting his journey at the helm of Bénin.
Patrice Talon began by extending congratulations to President-elect Romuald Wadagni, who is set to assume the nation’s leadership. “This Sunday, May 24, 2026, our President-elect, Mr. Romuald Wadagni, will take the oath of office to formally begin his duties. From that moment, he will undertake the delicate and exhilarating mission of guiding our country towards greater progress and collective and individual well-being,” he declared.
He also expressed his sincere wishes for the success of the incoming head of state. “I wish to reiterate my hopes for his great success in the actions he will pursue over the next seven years,” Talon emphasized.
On the eve of his departure, Patrice Talon presented an overall positive assessment of his administration’s impact on the country. With evident emotion, he stated: “As I prepare to relinquish this responsibility, I wish to thank you wholeheartedly and convey how immensely proud I am of you for the demanding path we collectively dared to traverse these past ten years, for the challenges overcome, the reforms implemented, and the major projects initiated to strengthen our State and dedicate public action to its socio-economic development.”
Acknowledging the hurdles faced, he added: “Indeed, the journey was not always straightforward. Often, it was fraught with obstacles; yet, it was precisely this that gave it its unique character and invigorated us.”
The outgoing president believes that the sustained efforts have yielded tangible results: “Ultimately, we can observe, alongside the rest of the world that consistently expresses its admiration for us, how far we have come. Our efforts and sacrifices are gradually bearing fruit.”
He celebrated this as a collective achievement involving all segments of the population. “This stands as a testament to all of us, Béninois men and women from cities, rural areas, and even the diaspora, young and old alike,” he affirmed.
In a more personal segment of his address, Patrice Talon conveyed his profound gratitude: “To have served as the team leader for this remarkable adventure, to have been at the service of our country, has been an immense honor for me. Consequently, my gratitude towards Bénin and towards each of you knows no bounds,” he indicated.
As he definitively turns the page on his mandate, Patrice Talon conveyed optimism for the future.
“In passing the baton to President Romuald Wadagni, I want to share my conviction that under his leadership, our country will take even greater strides towards fulfilling its destiny of becoming a great Nation. To achieve this, I have no doubt that, strengthened by what we have accomplished thus far and driven by an unwavering resolve to go even further, together we will rally around him and with him, in the superior interest of Bénin, to conquer entire new frontiers of progress that generate well-being, pride, and prosperity for everyone,” he concluded.
