G - POLITICAL EVOLUTION

Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is the cradle of ancient and brilliant civilizations that developed around kingdoms centered around Cities-States. Its history corresponds to that of its various kingdoms: Allada, Abomey, Porto-Novo, Ketou, Tchabê, Nikki, Kouande, Djougou… the most recent of which has been founded during the last century.
These well organized political entities, particularly those along the coast, had developed trade since XVIIth century : slave trade and later on oil palm following the abolition of slave trade in 1807.

This slave trade economy facilitated, settlement along the coast (known as “slaves coast”), trading counters operated by English, Danish, Portuguese, Dane French. In 1704, France was authorized to build a port in Ouidah, while in 1752 the Portuguese founded Porto-Novo City.

In 1863, the first French Protectorate was established in agreement with King Toffa of Porto-Novo. The same year, Glele, King of Abomey authorized the French to settle in Cotonou.

In 1882, the King of Porto-Novo signed a new protectorate agreement with France to send a “French Resident” to assist the King.

In 1884, Dahomey became a French colony. A decree determined the denomination of the new territories: “Dahomean Colonies and their dependencies”, which conferred Autonomy that this territory kept till 18 October, 1904, when it became part of French West Africa.

On 4th December, 1958, the Republic is proclaimed and on 1st August, 1960, Dahomey became independent with Porto-Novo as its Capital.

Then started a period of political turmoil up to the Marxist-Leninist experience established on November 30, 1975 by President Mathieu KEREKOU who became Head of State following the October 26, 1872 coup.

In a context of bitter political, social and economic crisis, President Mathieu KEREKOU accepted in December 1989, after 17 years of a Marxist regime, the organization of a seft-criticism conference convened from 19-28, February 1990 under the chairmanship of late Lordship Isidore de SOUZA, archbishop of Cotonou. The said “Conference of the Active Forces of the Nation” has put in place a transitional government led by the Prime minister Nicephore SOGLO.

Upon March 1991 presidential elections in which multipartism was the keynote, Nicephore SOGLO was elected President of the Republic.

Later on, Benin experienced a democratic alternation of power owing to 1996 presidential elections which resulted in the return to power of General Mathieu KEREKOU.

Since then, Benin is a reference and a model country in sub Saharan Africa for having succeeded in organizing democratic transition and alternation considered as an example in every respect.

H – INSTITUTIONS OF THE REPUBLIC

They result from December 11, 1990 Constitution which specifies their competence and information relating to their operation .

• The President of the Republic and the Executive power.

The President is elected through universal suffrage for a five (05) year term of office renewable once. He is the Head of State, Head of Government and Commander in Chief of Benin Armed Forces. He embodies national unity. He is the guarantor of national independence, territorial integrity, respect of the Constitution, international Treaties and Agreements. The President of the Republic initiates laws in collaboration with the members of the Parliament.

• The Parliament

The Parliament is made of a unique Assembly referred to the National Assembly whose members are called Member of Parliament. It votes laws and controls, the Government actions.

The Members of Parliament are elected for four (4) years through direct universal suffrage and are re-eligible.

• The Constitutional Court

It is an autonomous jurisdiction which judges the constitutionality of the law. It is the guarantor of basic Human rights and public freedoms. Claims can be brought before it by any citizen for this purpose. The Constitutional Court controls the functioning of institutions and the Public authorization activities. The self discipline of its members the observance of its decisions conferred on the Court an undisputed respectability, acknowledged impartiality creditworthiness and a great moral authority mainly in the field of elections.

• The Supreme Court

The December 11, 1990 Constitution provides in its article 125 that “the judicial power is separate from the legislative and the executive” It is exercised by the Supreme Court, Courts and tribunals set up in accordance with the Constitution.
The Supreme Court is the highest jurisdiction of the State as regards administrative and judicial matters and public accounts auditing.

The Supreme Court is also competent areas of local elections disputes.

It is made up of three (03) courts VIZ:

· the judicial court deals with civil and criminal matters;
· the administrative court in the first and last resort deals with administrative and electoral litigation;
· the State Audit Court judging public accountants and auditor of local communities and government-owned corporate accounts.

• The High Audio-visual and Communication Authority (HAAC)

The HAAC aims at securing and ensuring freedom and protection of the Media and mass communication.

The HAAC is a semi-professional organization made up of nine (09) members appointed on the basis of three (03) from the Parliament three (03) from the Government and three (3) from audio-visual entity and professionals elected by their peers. Its chairman is appointed by the Head of State.

• The Economic and Social Council

It is a consultative Organization to which the laws relating to economic and social matters are necessarily referred to. The Counsel can, on its own initiative and through recommendations, draw attention of the Parliament and Government on economic and social reforms which it deems are in keeping or against public interest.

• The High Court of Justice

The High Court of Justice is made up of the Constitutional Court, with the exception of the Presiding Judge and six (06) members of the Parliament elected by the National Assembly and the Presiding Judge of the Supreme Court.

The High Court of Justice is competent under article 136 of the Constitution to “try the President of the Republic and members of the Government for offences acknowledged as high treason, offences committed during their term of office as well as their accomplices in case of plots against the national security”