Benin's landmark elections: An experiment in political transitions (Vera Songwe, Brookings)

Benin is the new field of dreams and promises kept. In a year when many countries on the continent are changing their constitutions to allow for incumbent presidents to run yet again, Benin, under President Yayi Boni, is respecting the term limits set down in its constitution. Thanks in part to pressure from the population, this development is allowing for political and democratic change. Indeed, the second round of elections took place on Sunday, between Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou and cotton magnate Patrice Talon who won 27.1 percent and 23.5 percent of the first round votes, respectively. In the second round Patrice Talon is believed to have won with a provisional margin of about 65 percent. Official certification from the Supreme Court is still pending, but Lionel Zinsou has publicly conceded.

http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/africa-in-focus/posts/2016/03/22-benin-elections-political-transitions-songwe