President of Benin Arrives in Burkina Faso After Visit to Niger

 Benin's President-elect Romuald Wadagni arrived in Ouagadougou after a visit to Niger, where he was welcomed by Burkinabe leader Ibrahim Traoré, the administration of Burkina Faso's president reported.

"The two heads of state held a one-on-one meeting in the VIP hall and then proceeded to the Koulouba presidential palace, where the presidents will hold a working session," the statement said.

On June 2, Wadagni arrived in Niamey for an official visit and was welcomed by Niger's President Abdourahamane Tchiani, accompanied by government representatives and the diplomatic corps. After the official welcoming ceremony, the heads of state held initial talks at the airport's presidential pavilion before continuing discussions at the presidential palace. Details of the meeting have not yet been released.

On May 24, Wadagni took the oath of office at his inauguration ceremony as the new head of state.

Benin's presidential election took place on April 12. The electoral commission reported a voter turnout of approximately 59%. Candidates ran as pairs for the presidency and vice presidency. The election was won by Wadagni, a former Minister of Economy and Finance, with more than 94% of the vote.

Wadagni, 49, the candidate of the ruling Progressive Union for Renewal (UPR) party, is considered one of the closest associates of President Talon since he took power. A former top manager at the audit and consulting firm Deloitte, educated in France and the United States, he became Benin's Minister of Economy in 2016.