COTONOU, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Romuald Wadagni, who was elected president of Benin in the April 12 election, was sworn in on Sunday at the Congress Palace in Cotonou, the country's economic capital.
The ceremony brought together more than 6,000 guests, including heads of state institutions, members of constitutional bodies, former presidents Nicephore Soglo and Thomas Boni Yayi, as well as members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Benin.
Before Dorothe Sossa, president of the Constitutional Court, the new head of state pledged to serve and defend Benin during his seven-year constitutional term.
Wadagni, Benin's fifth president since the advent of democratic renewal in February 1990, swore to respect and defend the Constitution, faithfully discharge the high duties entrusted to him by the nation, and devote all his efforts to promoting the common good, peace and national unity.
He also pledged to safeguard the country's territorial integrity and to conduct himself at all times as a faithful and loyal servant of the people.
Under Benin's Constitution, the president of the republic holds executive power and, as head of government, determines and conducts the nation's policies while exercising regulatory authority. The president oversees the administration and the armed forces and is responsible for national defense.
Following consultation with the National Assembly, the president appoints members of the government, defines their responsibilities and may dismiss them from office.
Wadagni, 49, previously worked at Deloitte before entering government after Patrice Talon's election in 2016. He has since served as minister of economy and finance, was reappointed in 2021, and later promoted to senior minister, playing a central role in implementing Talon's economic policies. Enditem
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