COTONOU, Benin — Benin’s government has defended President Patrice Talon’s political and economic legacy days before he hands power to President-elect Romuald Wadagni, while facing fresh criticism over the dismissal of 169 employees from the state broadcaster.
Government spokesman Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji addressed the controversy surrounding the layoffs at the state-run Radio and Television of Benin, known as SRTB, which took effect on May 13. He referred journalists to the broadcaster’s management for detailed explanations but acknowledged concern over the way affected workers were informed.
“Humanely, it is deplorable,” Houngbédji said, while insisting that operational questions should be directed to SRTB. The dismissals have sparked criticism from media and labour groups, with reports saying unions denounced the process as abrupt and lacking sufficient consultation.
Houngbédji also rejected opposition criticism of Talon’s democratic record, arguing that Benin must adapt democratic principles to its own political history rather than copy older Western systems. His comments came as rights groups and opposition figures continue to accuse Talon’s government of narrowing political space and weakening pluralism.
Asked whether Talon could grant a last-minute pardon to detained opposition figures including Reckya Madougou, Joël Aïvo and Olivier Boko, Houngbédji declined to give a direct answer. “In 96 hours, many things can happen,” he said, adding that those jailed were political actors convicted of offences, not political prisoners.
Talon, who came to power in 2016, is due to leave office after a decade. Wadagni, his longtime finance minister and chosen successor, won the April presidential election with 94.27 percent of the vote, according to results confirmed by Benin’s Constitutional Court.
Supporters credit Talon’s administration with stabilising the economy, improving revenue collection and positioning Benin as one of West Africa’s stronger reform performers. The World Bank said Benin’s growth accelerated to 8.1 percent in 2025, while inflation eased and fiscal consolidation brought the deficit down to 2.9 percent of GDP.
Ratings agencies have also noted Benin’s fiscal progress. S&P affirmed Benin at BB- with a positive outlook, while Fitch projected the deficit would remain around 2.9 percent of GDP in 2025 and 2026.
A key symbol of Talon’s economic strategy is the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, designed to shift Benin from exporting raw agricultural commodities to processing cotton, cashew, shea and other products locally. The zone’s backers say it is expected to attract major investment and create hundreds of thousands of jobs by 2030.
As Wadagni prepares to take office, the central question is whether Benin can preserve its economic momentum while addressing concerns over democratic freedoms, political inclusion and social trust.
