Vice President of Benin
| Vice President of Benin | |
|---|---|
| Vice président du Bénin | |
since 24 May 2021 | |
| Appointer | Direct popular vote (two rounds if necessary)[1] |
| Term length | 5 years |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Benin |
| Formation | |
| First holder | Sourou-Migan Apithy |
| Africa portal |
The vice president of Benin is the second highest political position in Benin. The vice presidency was created by the 2019 amendments made to the Constitution of Benin.[1][3] The vice president is elected concurrently with the president in direct popular elections. The 2021 election was the first time that a vice president was elected in Benin.[4]
The vice presidency is largely ceremonial. It was created to ensure succession in case of a vacancy in the presidency. The vice president can have other tasks entrusted to them by the president.[1][4]
History
When Benin first achieved independence in 1960, as Dahomey, Sourou-Migan Apithy was elected as the first vice president. Apithy would serve as vice president until the 1963 Dahomeyan coup d'état, in which the president resigned. Apithy took over the role of president in 1964, and Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin was placed into the vice presidency after the coup.[2] After a second coup in 1965, the position was abolished.
Dahomey, and later Benin, functioned without a vice president until 2019, when a series of constitutional reforms created the position.[1] The first election with a vice presidential position took place in 2021, in which Mariam Chabi Talata was elected as vice president on a ticket with incumbent president Patrice Talon.[4]
Vice presidents of Dahomey
| Image | Office holder | Took office | Left office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sourou-Migan Apithy | 1 August 1960 | 1963 | [5] | |
| Justin Ahomadégbé-Tomêtin | January 1964 | November 1965 | [6] |
Vice presidents of Benin
| Image | Office holder | Took office | Left office | President | Image | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariam Chabi Talata | 24 May 2021 | present | Patrice Talon | [7] |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Le Bénin se dote d'un vice-président | DW | 04.11.2019" [Benin gets a Vice-President]. Deutsche Welle (in French).
- ^ a b Dossou-Yovo, Noel (1999). "The Experience of Benin". International Journal on World Peace. 16 (3): 59–74. ISSN 0742-3640. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Révision de la Constitution au Bénin : ce qui va changer" [Revision of the constitution in Benin: What will change]. Jeune Afrique (in French). November 7, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Benin: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ Alfonse, Dosu (January 26, 2017). Benin Republic, and Dahomey. Kingdom. Lulu Press, Inc. ISBN 9781365709937 – via Google Books.
- ^ Lentz, Harris M. (February 4, 2014). Heads of States and Governments Since 1945. Routledge. ISBN 9781134264902 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Election de Mariam Chabi Talata aux côtés du chef de l'Etat: Ce qui est attendu de la vice-présidente de la République". La Nation Bénin. 26 April 2021. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.