Former Benin Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni officially became the country's president on Sunday.
Patrice Talon's successor is continuing in the footsteps of his former boss but seems to want to adopt a more pragmatic and peaceful approach with Benin's neighbors.
The notable presence of Nigerien Prime Minister Alu Mahamane Lamine Zeine at this ceremony illustrates a new impetus towards more dialogue after several months of regional tensions linked to coups in the Sahel and disagreements with the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
With our neighboring countries, we will place particular emphasis on deepening regional cooperation. Benin will continue to work for stability, dialogue and respect," said Romuald Wadagni, President of Benin.
Wadagni takes the reins of a West African country that also suffers from insecurity in the north due to attacks attributed to jihadist groups.
One of its missions will be to try to stabilize relations, which have been strained until now, with its two military-led neighbors, Niger and Burkina Faso, who are fighting against militant Islamist groups seeking to extend their influence in the region.
“I believe a new path is opening before us. He specifically mentioned the need to take our destiny into our own hands, to develop our own strategies, and that truly encourages us. And I believe the people of these countries have always been united. The most important thing is to work on strengthening our ties and ensuring that we can work together, even if it means that those who came from elsewhere must now leave us in peace,” said Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Prime Minister of Niger.
At 49, Romuald Wadagni takes the helm of a country that has experienced a decade of strong economic growth, but where a huge gap between rich and poor persists.
