National Assembly: the proceedings of the inaugural session of the 10th Legislature

The tenth legislature of Benin’s National Assembly was officially inaugurated on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the Palace of the Governors in Porto-Novo.

The ceremony was held in accordance with the provisions of Article 153.2, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Constitution, as well as Articles 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 of the institution’s Internal Regulations. The inaugural plenary session was presided over by the eldest member, the Hon. N’DA Antoine N’da, assisted by Deputies Faridatou Zachari Traoré Yacoubou and Issa Youssouf.

Several members of the government took part in this solemn session, marking the official opening of the new parliamentary term. As soon as proceedings began, the eldest member authorized the reading of the Constitutional Court’s decisions relating to the final results of the January 11, 2026 legislative elections, as well as the appeals filed against these results.

Following this step, and in application of the constitutional and legal provisions governing the status of deputies, notably those relating to the regime of incompatibilities, the resignation letter of the Hon. Louis Dèhoumon Koukpedji from his post as Director General of the Beninese Society for the Supply of Health Products, SoBAPS S.A., was read in session.

Proceeding with the solemn installation declaration of the deputies, the Hon. N’DA Antoine N’da expressed, on behalf of all his colleagues, his gratitude to the Beninese people for the trust placed in the elected representatives. He reminded the deputies of the scope of their mission, stressing their duty to defend the people’s interests and to preserve the values and the honors of the Republic.

The eldest member also stressed that the new Assembly should be a space for constructive democratic debate, oriented toward the country’s progress. According to him, Parliament must embody a demanding dialogue, but imbued with dignity, where the vigor of exchanges remains guided by the pursuit of the common good.

He finally expressed the wish that this legislature be distinguished by sincere commitment, a diligent presence of elected representatives and rigorous parliamentary work. At the conclusion of his installation speech, the plenary session was suspended to permit the preparation of the election of the members of the Bureau of the tenth legislature, a decisive step for the internal organization of the new National Assembly.