With our correspondent in Benin, Jean-Luc Aplogan

« Benin is on the right track, in all areas », rejoiced the Beninese head of state during his state-of-the-nation address.

Without overwhelming his audience with macro-economic figures, he insisted on progress in access to drinking water, 2 out of 3 Beninese have drinking water, the remaining third will benefit from it in a few years, he promises.

« Energy independence will become a reality in 18 months », Patrice Talon also announced. According to him, Beninese power plants today produce more than half of demand.

Political tensions

On the political front, where the opposition was waiting for him, he recalled that his reforms have made it possible to « rid Beninese democracy of its flaws ». Patrice Talon affirmed that his new electoral laws will offer voters next April a choice between several projects. This is the promise of a ballot open to the opposition which is thus made, which had not been the case in the 2019 legislative elections.

He did not say a word about the opposition's demands relating to an audit of the electoral list and the holding of national forums. « This is not the place and there is not even a subject on these matters », comments someone close to the president.