Benin : President Patrice Talon leaves power in 2026
President Patrice Talon appeared on Benin’s public television on Saturday, December 23, in an interview lasting over an hour. He discussed his departure, his succession in 2026, rejected persistent demands from the opposition, and justified his new stance with the Nigerien junta.
« Everything ends well one day », President Patrice said during his speech, which devoted long minutes to his succession. The journalist mentioned the name of Olivier Boko, whom some consider his alter ego, and for whom support has been mobilized for months. « I am not the type to promote my family, my friends, my close associates in politics », responded President Talon. « It’s not my style. I am at an equal distance from everyone. But there will be no candidate in Benin without political parties in the future ».
Unmet demands from the opposition resurfaced, particularly regarding National Congresses and amnesty for Reckiath Madougou and Joel Aivo. On these issues, he did not waver; the answer is still no. « Selecting 10, 20, 30 people in the country and saying, These people, we grant them amnesty for everything they have done, whatever they have done », is not possible. « They say, Talon refuses to forgive. I don’t govern with emotions; I govern with responsibility and reason », he affirmed.
