Benin - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Benin, it was the current name comes from a local ethnic group, the Bini, whose name may be related to the Arabic word bani, meaning "sons;" the former name, Dahomey, comes from a previous kingdom in the area called Dan Homé. The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 12 departments; Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
National symbols
Leopard.
The flag
The National flag of Benin has .
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The National Anthem
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More about the government of Benin
| Date of Independence | 1 August 1960 (from France) |
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| National holiday | Independence Day, 1 August (1960) |
| Legal system | civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1946, 1958 (pre-independence); latest adopted by referendum 2 December 1990, promulgated 11 December 1990 |
| Amendment process | Proposed concurrently by the president of the republic (after a decision in the Council of Ministers) and the National Assembly; consideration of drafts or proposals requires at least three-fourths majority vote of the Assembly membership; passage requires approval in a referendum unless approved by at least four-fifths majority vote of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles affecting territorial sovereignty, the republican form of government, and secularity of Benin cannot be amended |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin |
| Dual citizenship recognized | yes |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 10 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016) |
| Head of government | President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers appointed by the president |
| Election/appointment process | president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) |
| Most recent election date | 11 April 2021 |
| Election results | 2021: Patrice TALON reelected president in the ; percent of vote - Patrice TALON (independent) 86.3%, Alassane SOUMANOU (FCBE) 11.4%, Corentin KOHOUE (The Democrats) 2.3% 2016: Patrice TALON elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Lionel ZINSOU (FCBE) 28.4%, Patrice TALON (independent) 24.8%, Sebastien AJAVON (independent) 23%, Abdoulaye Bio TCHANE (ABT) 8.8%, Pascal KOUPAKI (NC) 5.9%, other 9.1%; percent of vote in second round - Patrice TALON 65.4%, Lionel ZINSOU 34.6% |
| Expected date of next election | 12 April 2026 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 109 (all directly elected) |
| Electoral system | Proportional representation |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 4 years |
| Most recent election date | 1/8/2023 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | Progressive Union for Renewal (53); Republican Block (BR) (28); Democrats (28) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 26.6% |
| Expected date of next election | January 2026 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the chief justice and 16 justices organized into an administrative division, judicial chamber, and chamber of accounts); Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 7 members, including the court president); High Court of Justice (consists of the Constitutional Court members, 6 members appointed by the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court president) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the president of the republic on the advice of the National Assembly; judges appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members - 4 appointed by the National Assembly and 3 by the president of the republic; members appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; other members of the High Court of Justice elected by the National Assembly; member tenure NA |
| Subordinate courts | Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court for the Repression of Economic and Terrorism Infractions (CRIET) or Cour de Répression des Infractions Economiques et du Terrorisme; district courts; village courts; Assize courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Agniola AHOUANMENOU (since 24 July 2025) |
| Chancery | 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 232-6656 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 265-1996 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://beninembassy.us/ |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Brian SHUKAN (since 5 May 2022) |
| Embassy | 01BP 2012, Cotonou |
| Mailing address | 2120 Cotonou Place, Washington DC 20521-2120 |
| Telephone | [229] 21-36-75-00 |
| FAX | [229] 21-30-03-84 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://bj.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Royal Palaces of Abomey (c); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n); Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba (c) |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Benin
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Benin
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