INTRODUCTION:
Benin’s National Assembly approves constitutional amendment extending terms and establishing a new Senate
On 15th November 2025, Benin’s National Assembly passed a constitutional amendment by a vote of 90 to 19 that extended the terms for presidential, legislative, mayoral, and local council positions from five to seven years, starting with the April 2026 elections. However, presidential terms remain limited to two terms. This amendment also established a new Senate, consisting of 25–30 members selected from former political and security figures, tasked with safeguarding national unity and reviewing the legislation passed by the House of Representatives. The government justified the reform as essential for enhancing institutional stability and allowing more time for long-term public policy to be effective. Included in the revision is an anti-defection clause that stipulates that any elected official who changes political parties will automatically lose their seat, aiming to reduce political instability and prevent frequent party switching. While the government argues that these changes are crucial for consolidating democratic institutions, critics such as Kolawolé Djiman Ogbon — a deputy from the opposition party Les Démocrates-contend that the amendments could alter the political balance and affect the dynamics of the upcoming election, particularly concerning the non-elected nature of future senate members and their influence on legislative processes.
Opposition parties barred under 2024 electoral code restrictions
While president Patrice Talon is stepping down, respecting the constitutional two-term presidential limit, only two candidates were qualified by the Constitutional Court to run for president – current president Patrice Talon’s successor, Romauld Wadagni, current Minister of Finances, for the presidential majority coalition, and Paul Hounkpè of Forces cauris pour un Bénin émergent (FCBE), who positioned himself as a “moderate” opponent. Candidates from other parties, including opposition party Les Démocrates, had been barred from participating in the presidential race due to the stringent requirements contained in the 2024 Electoral Code. Building on the restrictions introduced in the 2019 Electoral Code, the 2024 Electoral Code has imposed sponsorship quotas for presidential candidates. Consequently, the legislative and municipal elections, which took place on 11th January 2026, resulted in a National Assembly with no representation of political opposition.
CSOs raise human rights concerns ahead of Benin’s 2026 legislative, municipal and presidential elections
On 8th January 2026 Amnesty International Benin and 13 CSOs published a manifesto addressing human rights priorities ahead of Benin’s legislative, municipal, and presidential elections scheduled for 11th January and 12th April 2026. In the manifesto, the CSOs raised the continued erosion of civic space, marked by attacks on independent media, arbitrary arrests of dissidents and restrictions on peaceful assembly. Dieudonné Dagbéto of Amnesty international Benin commented:
“Civic space continues to shrink in Benin with a wave of attacks on independent media outlets and people still being arbitrarily arrested and detained for dissent. Despite progress, women and marginalized groups face discrimination, while forced evictions jeopardize the human rights of thousands of people. The right to a fair trial and access to justice are some of the issues the incoming authorities must urgently address.”
Additional concerns include overcrowded prisons, inadequate protection for refugees fleeing the Central Sahel conflict, and restrictions on fundamental rights. The CSOs request electoral candidates’ commitment to revise restrictive laws, such as the Digital Code, which criminalises ‘publication of false information’ and ‘harassment through electronic communications’, to investigate security force excesses, end arbitrary detention, improve access to justice and promote gender equality, among other demands.
Wave of arrests following the December 2025 coup attempt
On 7th December 2025, Benin witnessed a failed coup attempt which led to multiple legal prosecutions and arrests targeting a broad range of civic space actors through use of the specialised Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET) Court. Opposition figures including Alassane Tigri, a former Sports Minister of Benin and vice president of the opposition party Les Démocrates, and Candide Azannai, president of the party Restaurer l’Espoir, figure among those arrested and prosecuted. Internet users and journalists also have been targeted with prosecution for having commented on the failed coup attempt (see under Expression). They face charges including “praising crimes against state security,” “incitement to rebellion,” “incitement to hatred and violence,” “electronic harassment,” and “invasion of privacy.”
EXPRESSION
Journalist sentenced following a social media post concerning the failed 2025 Coup attempt of 7th December 2025
On 24th March 2026, the CRIET in Cotonou sentenced Pascal Mitowadé, a journalist working for the private daily newspaper La Tribune de la capitale, to five years in prison and a fine of 10 million CFA francs (approximately 17,200 USD). Mitowadé was convicted of “apology for crimes against state security, incitement to hatred via internet, and incitement to rebellion”. Mitowadé had published a text on social media announcing the mutineers’ seizure of power, which the Special Public Prosecutor’s Office interpreted as support for the coup plotters. Mitowadé denied intent to encourage the coup, claiming he shared information under pressure and fear for his personal safety after receiving threats. This sentencing occurs within the broader context of investigations and prosecutions of suspects involved in the failed military coup attempt of 7th December 2025.
Opposition activist Julien Kandé Kansou faces imprisonment and heavy fine over online criticism and alleged incitement
On 17th March 2026, the public prosecutor of the Court of Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET) sentenced Julien Kandé Kansou, a young political activist and member of the opposition party Les Démocrates, to two years in prison and a fine of ten million FCFA (approximately 17000 USD). The charges against him included harassment via an electronic communication system and incitement to rebellion, stemming directly from his public criticism of government proposals to impose taxes on Internet connections. During the trial proceedings, Kansou pleaded not guilty, and his defence team argued that his critical statements constituted legitimate democratic debate protected under political opposition laws. As previously reported by the CIVICUS Monitor, on 6th June 2025, in Cotonou, members of the former Central Office for the Repression of Cybercrime (OCRC) arrested Kansou for making statements about an “electoral revolution” and criticising economic monopolies, which Beninese authorities deemed problematic. On 12th June 2025, Kansou appeared before the special prosecutor of CRIET and was immediately placed in pretrial detention. He was formally accused of “publishing false news and harassment via electronic communication” in violation of the Digital Code.
Pre-trial detention extended for journalist Huguès Comlan Sosoukpé amid due process concerns; lawyer detained
On 12th January 2026, the CRIET prolonged the pre-trial detention of journalist, whistleblower and known Talon critic Huguès Comlan Sosoukpé by six months, violating national laws on the duration of pretrial detentions, among other due process violations. Sosoukpé, journalist and director for media outlet Olofofo and Secretary General of the Beninese Association of Web Activists (ABWA), was arrested on 11th July 2025 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where he was exiled, and was transferred to Beninese authorities. He faces charges of ‘harassment by electronic means’ under the Digital Code and ‘incitement to rebellion’ and ‘condoning terrorism’, among other charges. Sosoukpé’s lawyer, Dossou Stanic Adjacotan, was arrested in January 2026 at the airport upon arrival in Cotonou and released pending investigation, after having been brought before the CRIET on accusations of ‘condoning of a coup d’état’.
Journalist and social media influencer arrested and interrogated over a Facebook commentary on the December 2025 coup attempt
On 16th December 2025 in Cotonou, security forces reportedly arrested Angela Kpeidja, a journalist and influencer, following comments on Facebook about the unsuccessful coup attempt on 7th December 2025. In her post, Kpeidja enquired about the Chief of Staff’s location, asking, “Where is the Chief of Staff? Where is the one who usually leaks coup attempts?” This statement was perceived by the authorities as potentially endorsing the coup or threatening state security. According to local media, Kpeidja was questioned by security personnel to clarify the intent and implications of her post. On 18th December, Kpeidja was released but remained under judicial supervision pending further investigations and legal proceedings.
TikTok influencer detained over post-coup statements
On 11th December 2025 in Cotonou, the Republican Police reportedly arrested Florence Kingbo, a 21-year-old TikTok influencer, following a widely shared video posted on 9th December, in which she openly challenged President Patrice Talon, denied the foiling of the recent coup attempt, insulted the First Lady, and accused the presidential family of corruption. Kingbo’s provocative statements came amid national tension following the failed 7th December 2025 coup attempt. On 3rd February 2026 Kingbo appeared before the CRIET, where she faced charges including electronic harassment, invasion of privacy, incitement to hatred and violence, and incitement to rebellion. The Public Prosecutor rejected Kingbo’s request for provisional release, and the case was adjourned to 24th March 2026 with Kingbo remaining in detention.
Release of Nigerian journalist Matthew Ojoduma by CRIET after nine months’ detention on terrorism charges in Benin
On 25th November 2025 the CRIET released Nigerian journalist Matthew Ojoduma, founder of the Africa Views Channel, which covers African cities, after more than nine months of detention in Benin. The Court found him not guilty of charges against him. In January 2025, Beninese police arrested Ojoduma while he crossed the northern border into Burkina Faso at Porga, a town in Benin, with reporting equipment, including a camera, drone, and laptop. On 13th February 2025 authorities formally charged Ojoduma with membership in a terrorist organisation based on suspicions of being “in intelligence with terrorist groups”, allegedly due to his “insistence” on travelling via Porga despite the prevailing insecurity at the time. On 19th May 2025, Ojoduma’s case was referred to the CRIET, and on 2nd July 2025 the latter ordered Ojoduma’s pre-trial detention, despite an earlier search of Ojoduma’s phones and hard drive that “revealed no information in this case relating to acts of terrorism”, according to Ojoduma’s lawyer.
Media regulator withdraws press cards from 130 journalists and suspends eight broadcasters following audit of statutory compliance
On 13th November 2025, Benin’s High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) withdrew the press cards from 130 journalists (123 from print media and seven from radio), suspending eight broadcasters. The HAAC justified these decisions as a “clean up” exercise, following an audit that revealed journalists had failed to meet statutory conditions such as demonstrating journalism as their primary income source, possessing requisite educational qualifications, or maintaining recent journalistic activity, while broadcasters were sanctioned for prolonged inactivity and violation of obligations with the regulator. The eight affected broadcasters included Radio Mifon FM, Couffo FM, Aïfa FM, Urban FM, and Nostalgie FM (which lost their frequencies), as well as Canal 2 Star, Imalè Africa Television, and Tunde Agric TV (which had their licences revoked). The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) expressed serious concerns about the scale and abruptness of the sanctions, arguing that the “clean up” exercise should have been accompanied by transparent dialogue, support measures, and clear avenues for journalists and outlets to regularise their status.