Last cabinet meeting of patrice talon in Benin before transition

The final cabinet meeting led by Patrice Talon unfolded this Wednesday at the Palais de la Marina in Cotonou, marking the end of an eight-year presidency. The outgoing Head of State chaired the session alongside Romuald Wadagni, the president-elect who participated in what became a historic gathering.

As the country prepares for the upcoming political transition scheduled for May 24, 2026, the atmosphere during the meeting was described as deeply emotional. Patrice Talon took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the ministers for their dedication to implementing key reforms since 2016. « I must ask you to forgive any harshness I may have shown. It was simply my unwavering commitment to achieving the highest standards », he remarked.

The outgoing president also reflected on his governance approach, acknowledging that his rigorous oversight of public affairs was driven by the need to meet the country’s administrative and developmental objectives.

Romuald Wadagni reaffirms commitment to ongoing projects

The presence of Romuald Wadagni at the meeting highlighted the continuity of government action during the transition period. Formerly the Minister of Economy and Finance in Talon’s administration, the president-elect praised the achievements of the past decade. He emphasized that several ongoing national projects would continue under his leadership, stating, « The national transformation agenda will proceed with the same level of excellence ».

Wadagni’s participation in the cabinet meeting ahead of his official inauguration reflects the seamless handover planned for the end of Talon’s second term, initially elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2021.

Transition ceremony set for May 24

The meeting concluded with a moment of camaraderie among government officials at the Palais de la Marina, signaling the end of Patrice Talon’s executive leadership. The official handover ceremony between Talon and Wadagni is scheduled for May 24, 2026, followed by the president-elect’s swearing-in at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou, as per the constitutional timeline.