COTONOU, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Benin officially inaugurated its first Senate on Thursday, marking the country's transition to a bicameral parliamentary system for the first time.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the National Assembly building in the capital, Porto-Novo, and was presided over by Elisabeth Pognon, former president of Benin's Constitutional Court.
The establishment of the Senate follows a constitutional amendment promulgated on Dec. 17, 2025, which transformed Benin's legislature from a unicameral parliament into a bicameral one comprising the National Assembly and the Senate.
In her address, Pognon said the creation of the Senate is intended to improve the country's governance system, strengthen public confidence in state institutions, and contribute to political stability.
She noted that, unlike the Constitutional Court, which adjudicates legal disputes, the Senate is mandated under the Constitution to regulate and coordinate political life.
Under the Constitution, the Senate is tasked with safeguarding national unity, strengthening the state, promoting political stability, democracy, and peace, and ensuring respect for political truce arrangements. Under conditions prescribed by the Constitution, it may also impose sanctions, including the suspension or withdrawal of political or civil rights, on certain political actors.
The Senate is also required to issue a non-objection opinion before constitutional amendments, electoral laws, and legislation governing political parties and their activities can be promulgated.
According to a list released by the Beninese government on July 1, the inaugural Senate consists of 25 members, including former presidents Patrice Talon, Thomas Boni Yayi, and Nicephore Soglo, as well as former heads of state institutions and former senior officials from the defense and security sectors. ■
