Benin on Thursday officially inaugurated its first Senate, marking the country’s transition to a bicameral parliamentary system following a constitutional amendment adopted on 17 December 2025.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the National Assembly in Porto-Novo and was presided over by former Constitutional Court President Elisabeth Pognon, who said the Senate would strengthen governance, enhance public confidence in state institutions and promote political stability.
Under the Constitution, the Senate is mandated to safeguard national unity, strengthen democracy and peace, oversee political life, and provide a non-objection opinion on constitutional amendments, electoral laws and legislation governing political parties before they are promulgated.
According to a government list released on 1 July 2026, the inaugural Senate comprises 25 members, including former presidents Patrice Talon, Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicéphore Soglo, alongside former heads of state institutions and senior defence and security officials.